We all know that living in Nassau County is very expensive and those of us living on the south shore seem to be bearing the brunt of it. Do you ever wonder why?
In the early 1900s Nassau County was largely rural with a few centers of population handling the collection and trans-shipment of farm produce. Where no municipality existed to provide needed services, the New York State Constitution made provision for the establishment of Special Districts to provide those services and only the people receiving those services paid for them.
Thus, Special Districts are semi-autonomous, quasi-governmental bodies, empowered to request that the town issue bonds on their behalf and to levy taxes provided that the town approves their budgets. Taxes and bonded indebtedness, while approved or issued by the town, are paid for only by the properties served, and only for specific services. Each special district was empowered to be run by commissioners, accountants and attorneys.
