Suffolk takes step toward sales tax hike to fund sewers
Vera Chinese, newsday.com
Suffolk County lawmakers on Tuesday moved a step closer to allowing residents to vote in a November referendum on a proposed 0.125% sales tax increase to fund a sweeping expansion of sewers and high-tech septic systems throughout the county.
The county legislature voted 17-0 to close a public hearing on whether to allow the referendum, paving the way for lawmakers to vote on the proposal at their June 25 meeting in Riverhead. If passed by the full legislature and signed by Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine before Aug. 5, the measure will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot.