Suffolk County executive Ed Romaine announced the 2025 Recommended Operating Budget. This is the first county budget under Romaine since he was elected to office in 2023.

“This budget incorporates revenue and spending estimates and provides funding to improve critical government services while representing the current and anticipated economic landscape facing the county,” said Romaine.

Of utmost concern for the county executive and his team was to “never exceed” the New York State property tax cap.

Upon taking office last year, Romaine characterized the staffing levels in many county departments as “extremely low” and facilities in “a state of disrepair” and thus disabling the county from “deliver[ing] key government services.”

The cyber-attack that debilitated the county that occurred on Sept. 8, 2022, is said to have cost county taxpayers millions of dollars.

The mitigate against further attacks and recoup losses from the 2022 cyber-attack, Romaine is proposing a 20 percent increase for the Department of Information

Technology.

“My administration has put in place an aggressive plan to ensure better leadership and policies to establish robust cybersecurity protections, managed by a well-organized team of cybersecurity experts,” said Romaine.

During the analysis of the 2022 response, it was determined that the county must employ an onsite chief information security officer (CISO), as well as a 24/7 virtual CISO service.

“This hybrid model will ensure that we are developing strong security procedures, protocols, and postures aimed at protecting critical data. The county is also committed to the modernization of technology infrastructure and bolstering cyber resilience,” said Romaine.

The operating budget includes funding for 200 police officers and the addition of 30 new deputy sheriff positions to the sheriff’s office.

The 2025 Recommended Operating Budget is the first budget in three years to contend with sales tax losses and significant increases in mandated expenses.

“After three years of unprecedented growth in sales tax that resulted from federal COVID-19 relief funds, high inflation, and increases in compensation levels, the county is entering into uncertain economic times,” said Romaine.

2024 sales tax receipts are projected to be $50 million less than the 2024 Adopted Operating Budget and employee medical health plan costs are projected to rise by $66 million in 2025.

In addition, pension costs are estimated to grow by $43 million in 2025 as well as health insurance costs.