Politics & Government

Lesko Calls for Cost Savings Options and Bipartisan Redistricting Commission

Supervisor talks about embracing change for the future in state of the town address.

During this year’s state of the town address at Brookhaven Town Hall on Thursday, Supervisor Mark Lesko called for a Core Services Working group to provide recommendations to the town board for cost savings options and potential public-private partnerships.

He also urged the creation of Bipartisan Redistricting Commission to take the politics out of redrawing the Council boundaries.  

A major theme in the oration was embracing change as Lesko said Brookhaven is facing a $6-10 million gap to fund balance in 2013, which would result in the town going bankrupt by 2015 if left unaddressed.

Find out what's happening in Sachemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We stand at a crossroads now in the Town of Brookhaven,” Lesko said. “We face a cold, hard fiscal reality – a time we all hoped would never happen - and we are called upon to make some very difficult policy decisions that will determine what type of services this Township provides its residents in the 21st Century.

“Nothing is off limits.  And we will make these choices- the entire Town Board, not just the Supervisor.  These decisions have to be made collectively, with vigorous input from our community, as well as our employees.  That is the only way we will be able to create lasting change in this Township.” 

Find out what's happening in Sachemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lesko said the town should put everything on the table. 

“Make tough choices,” he said. “We should agree on a new type of budget that no longer uses surplus, doesn’t rely on one-shots, that is lean, and that operates this Town like a business.   We need a structurally sound budget not only for today, but for future generations of Brookhaven residents.”

The town announced the formation of a Core Services Working Group, chaired by Chief of Staff Brian Beedenbender with representation from each Council District and a writer’s group. The Working Group will conduct an analysis of the Town’s core and discretionary functions and present their policy choices to the Town Board at a public work session on March 1. 

Lesko also proposed a Bipartisan Redistricting Commission modeled after the County’s Commission. The Commission would include eight members – three Democrats, three Republicans, and two at-large members from the minor parties and each major party must appoint at least one person from a voter rights or civic organization and one person from a minority organization.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here