Suffolk lawmakers OK free county park pass pilot and major sewer infrastructure plan

Free Suffolk County park parking permits will soon be available on a limited basis after county lawmakers on Tuesday approved a pilot program offering them through libraries, while also taking the final legislative step before a major wastewater treatment expansion plan goes before voters in November.

The legislature voted 15-0, with three legislators absent, at its general meeting Tuesday approving the free parking pilot program, which would operate through an existing program offering free visits to museums, historic sites and state parks through local libraries.

Suffolk libraries would be eligible to purchase a pack of 25 one-time parking passes from the county for $125. Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine is expected to sign the bill this week and the program will immediately go into effect. The passes, which expire on Dec. 31, would be offered on a first come, first served basis, according to the bill's language. Participating libraries can charge a $5 fee to patrons to obtain a pass. 

"I think it's an opportunity to open up our parks to all of our residents here," said Legis. Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), the legislative minority leader who co-sponsored the bill. "It marries a thirst of reading and education and connecting to our parks, and I think that's ... a relationship we should nurture."

The county estimates it would lose $50 to $100 per library pack sold, but the resolution notes a free visit could spur residents to purchase a Green Key card, which costs $30 and entitles the holder to discounted parking for three years.

Parking fees at the 10 county parks and beaches that require them range from $7 to $9 for residents per visit with Green Key cards and $15 to $18 for people without them. The amounts are a little higher paying with credit.

The legislature also voted 15-0 in favor of a resolution merging all 27 Suffolk County districts and enacting a uniform sewer tax rate for some 111,000 properties connected to county sewer systems.

The move is the last administrative step the legislature needed to take before voters are asked in November to decide on a plan to raise the county sales tax by an eighth of a penny to fund new sewers and high-tech septic systems. About three-quarters of Suffolk properties are not connected to sewers and do not actively remove nitrogen from wastewater before it is released into the ground, which degrades ground and surface water quality for aquatic wildlife. 

"The stage is now set for the referendum vote in November and a bright future for the environment of this great county," Romaine said in a statement.

A 2024 Suffolk County Wastewater Management District report from the national government consulting firm Raftelis notes ratepayers at different sewer districts pay unequal rates. For example, those in Sewer District 5 in Huntington are expected to pay an average $1,400 in 2024, while those in district 6 in Kings Park will pay an average $306.

The average district taxpayer whose home is connected to the county sewer system can expect to pay $661 in the first year of the countywide district, which includes $171 for existing debt service and $490 toward operation and maintenance costs, according to the resolution. District operations will begin Jan. 1, 2026.

Town and village sewer systems are not included, although they may petition to merge with the district.

Those not connected to a county sewer treatment system will not be taxed.

Also Tuesday, the legislature approved several resolutions authorizing more than $5.6 million for software and equipment upgrades to harden technology infrastructure. A Romaine spokesman said the county may still need to spend more funds before it is eligible for a cyber insurance policy, which it did not have during a crippling September 2022 cyberattack. Newsday has reported the county approved $25.7 million in cyber spending following the hack.

"Protecting the county’s IT infrastructure is an everyday focus which may necessitate additional spending," said Romaine spokesman Mike Martino.

Clarification: Suffolk County residents interested in obtaining a free county park parking pass may be asked to pay a small fee of up to $5 to their local library. An earlier version of this story did not include that detail.

By Vera Chinese

vera.chinese@newsday.com@VeraChinese

Vera Chinese joined Newsday in 2017 after working as an editor for the East End lifestyle publication northforker and a general assignment reporter for the New York Daily News.