Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman proposes volunteer buyouts for veteran municipal workers

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is looking to thin the county workforce in 2026, with buyouts offered to longtime employees in an effort to save nearly $27 million, budget documents show. 

In his $4.4 billion spending plan filed last week, Blakeman's executive summary referred to "a voluntary separation incentive program" that would "accelerate the number of retirements." If it gains approval and is included in the final version of the budget, the county would work out agreements with the leaders of its five employee unions to offer buyouts as early as January.

Blakeman spokesman Chris Boyle confirmed the proposed program to Newsday. He said the buyouts aren't targeted to reduce expenses in particular departments and won't result in a change to county services. He said each employee seeking to participate in the incentive program would need the approval of their union leadership and there would be an effort to recruit new employees.

While there's nothing official, union leaders have said the incentive would likely be $2,000 per year of service for those who have worked for the county 10 or more years.

"This is an important cost-saving measure that is a win-win for those who provided service to the county and will be rewarded, and there will be savings associated with new hires," Blakeman said in an emailed statement to Newsday on Tuesday.

Suffolk County has no equivalent program proposed in its budget, with spokesman Mike Martino saying the budget "is responsible, realistic, protects services, jobs, and keeps the county safer and more affordable.”

Nassau's legislature will over the next few weeks hold budget hearings and is expected to adopt a final budget by Oct. 30. The budget also needs the approval of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, the state-appointed county fiscal watchdog.

The last time Nassau County offered buyouts to its employees — who account for about 52% of the county's operating expenses — was in 2012,  when salaries and benefits of retiring workers were to be used to offset layoffs of about 300 workers who are members of the Civil Service Employees Association, the county's largest union. Then-County Executive Ed Mangano, a Republican, had looked for $54 million in savings.

Kris Kalender, newly elected president of CSEA Local 830, said his 4,200 members are the most likely to be impacted by Blakeman's plan. The union represents various job titles across all county agencies, including administrative staff, cleaners, IT professionals, highway maintenance workers, food inspectors and 911 operators.

The incentive most benefits workers nearing retirement. For example, a 20-year county employee would get $40,000 on top of the other exit payments, such as accrued sick and vacation days and termination pay, to which they're contractually entitled. Kalender voiced concern about whether existing employees would shoulder more burden if staffing were to get too low.   

"While we welcome any added benefit for our members, uncompetitive starting pay and demanding jobs have fueled staffing shortages, especially in critical services," Kalender said in a statement. "Still, we are optimistic about working with the administration to ensure our members have the support they need to continue delivering essential services for Nassau residents." 

The county employed 7,174 full-time workers as of early September, and is one of the largest employers in the county. That's a decrease when compared with 7,207 full-time workers employed when Blakeman entered office, according to the county’s 2022 adopted budget proposed by Blakeman’s predecessor, Democrat Laura Curran. 

Blakeman, a Republican, is running for reelection this November against Seth Koslow, a Democratic legislator from Merrick. Blakeman has touted his administration's efforts in keeping the property tax levy flat for four consecutive years while maintaining the same level of county services to residents. 

 Blakeman's more than 450-page budget proposal was filed with the legislature on the Sept. 15 deadline. Tentative budget hearings have been scheduled for Oct. 6 and 16. 

Legis. Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove), the legislature's minority leader, said she awaits discussion in the legislature but wasn't sure many county workers would participate in the buyouts, calling the $27 million in savings "a risky amount to count on that may hurt taxpayers with quality of service and needed services." 

 "I don't think the administration did its due diligence in speaking with CSEA and determining how many departments are already short staffed, and I don't expect many people to take it after less than a year of their recent raises. Their number for the estimated savings will be far, far beyond what it will end up being," DeRiggi-Whitton said. 

 CORRECTION: Kris Kalender's name was misspelled in a previous version of this story.

By Candice Ferrette

candice.ferrette@newsday.comcandiceferrette

Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.