Suffolk Coronavirus: 'Great News' On Property Tax Relief

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone shared "great news" with residents Tuesday, ranging from a "significantly lower" number of new coronavirus cases to property tax relief for strapped homeowners.

Bellone has said county officials were talking to their counterparts in Washington, D.C., about providing temporary tax relief for Suffolk homeowners and developing a workable plan that won't inflict damage on taxpayers but still allows government to function during its response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Under the federal relief bill, the CARES Act, only counties with more than a 2 million population are can access a short-term borrowing program. Suffolk, the 26th largest county in the country and one of the hardest-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, only has 1.5 million people.

Bellone sent a letter to the United States Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin asking that the guidance be shifted to allow counties of Suffolk's size to have access to that opportunity, which it did not currently have — until Monday.

During Tuesday's news briefing, Bellone announced that the Federal Reserve had announced expanding the eligibility requirements for the municipal liquidity facility — which would give Suffolk County access to the relief program, a component of the CARES Act.

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The measure is "a huge shot in the arm for efforts to provide property tax relief to homeowners impacted economically" by the pandemic, Bellone said.

Access would also be afforded to Nassau County, Westchester and communities across the country, he said.

The news is critical for Suffolk County, "not only one of the largest counties in America but one of the most heavily impacted in the country," Bellone said.

The biggest impediment facing the county in trying to provide temporary tax relief to impact homeowners has been the Suffolk County Tax Act, an "archaic law" that essentially means that the county does not see a penny property taxes paid by homeowners until more than halfway through the year, creating all sorts of issues including cash flow concerns, Bellone said.

Access to the municipal liquidity facility gives the county the ability to do short-term borrowing to "address the revenue that is dried up because of the shutdown in certain parts of the economy," Bellone said.

Property tax relief for homeowners could come in the form of waived late fees and deadlines that can possibly be pushed forward.

Bellone thanked U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Lee Zeldin, as well as members of the congressional delegation for "continuing to fight for us" and for their help.

"This crisis is not over and the depth of the hole, and the damage, is something we will be dealing with for some time," Bellone said.

He added in a statement Monday: "Over the past few weeks, Suffolk County has been working to identify a solution to provide temporary property tax relief for homeowners reeling from the COVID-19 crisis. Today, our pleas were heard by Washington when the Federal Reserve announced it would allow Suffolk County to obtain short-term borrowing in the midst of this economic crisis. I want to thank Congressman Lee Zeldin for working to make this happen, and I look forward to continue working together to deliver for Suffolk taxpayers during this unprecedented time."

Number of new cases 'significantly lower'

As of Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus cases in Suffolk County stood at 33,340. But, while the numbers continued to rise, they did so at a much slower rate, Bellone said.

Over 24 hours, a total of 132 new cases were reported, a number that was "significantly" lower than in past weeks when the county sometimes saw an average of 1,000 new cases daily.

The number of hospitalizations were also down, despite a jump over the weekend.

"We're back to a steady decline," Bellone said Tuesday.

The total number of hospitalizations decreased by 15, for a total of 1,082. The number of ICU patients also decreased by four, for a total of 408.

Suffolk County, Bellone said, is getting closer to reaching the point when it may meet the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that mandate a 14-day decrease in hospitalizations before reopening can begin.

Bed capacity countywide stands at 3,396, with 776 ICU beds; of that number, 974 beds are available, as well as 220 ICU beds.

A total of 44 patients went home over the past 24 hours. And 29 additional patients died, bringing the grim total to 1,131.

The number of coronavirus cases broken down by town is as follows:

Islip: 9,803

Brookhaven: 7,017

Babylon: 5,462

Huntington: 3,900

Smithtown: 1,775

Southampton: 604

Riverhead: 417

Southold: 316

East Hampton: 169

Shelter Island: 7

Supplies still distributed

With critical work still ongoing in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, "supplies have to keep coming," Bellone said.

In 24 hours, 37,000 pieces of personal protective equipment were distributed; the county was also able to secure, through its procurement program, 110,000 medical grade gloves.

New hot spot testing

A new mobile hot spot testing site will open Thursday in Southampton at the Kraus Health Center, located at 330 Meeting House Lane. Testing will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.; for an appointment call 845-553-8030.

So far, a total of 2,124 tests have been administered at the county's six mobile hot spot testing sites; of that number, 48 percent have tested positive, higher than the county average of 38 percent. But, Bellone said, that number has dropped from an initial 53 percent and may continue to decline as more tests are given.

The county has partnered with Long Island Cares and Island Harvest to distribute food in need to individuals at the Brentwood mobile hot spot testing site on Wednesdays and Fridays; the food distribution program will be expanded soon to additional hot spot testing sites, beginning with Wyandanch, Bellone said.

Those who find themselves without food should call 311 for immediate help, Bellone said.

Campgrounds

County campgrounds are closed through May 31; any reservations made through that time will be canceled and refunded. Whether they will be opened after that date is an issue that will be revisited after May 31, Bellone said.