Suffolk County Legislature votes to send Water Quality Restoration Fund to voters after heated debate

The Suffolk County Legislature voted 15–2 on June 25 to place a ballot question before voters that would extend the county’s existing quarter‑percent drinking‑water protection program and add a one‑eighth percent sales and use tax to create a Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Fund.

The ballot measure, advanced as IR 1461, would give voters the final say on a local funding stream intended to pay for septic upgrades, sewer expansions and other projects proponents say are needed to reduce nitrogen pollution, protect drinking water and rebuild coastal wetlands.

Supporters framed the proposal as a time‑sensitive, science‑driven effort to modernize aging wastewater infrastructure and access matching state and federal dollars. Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey, who moved the measure onto the calendar, urged colleagues to let the public decide. “All we’re doing here today is giving that right to the taxpayers,” McCaffrey said, adding that voters have historically approved similar local measures.

Opponents argued the approach relied on a tax increase by proxy and criticized prior use of county water funds. Legislator Rob Trotta, who cast one of two no votes, said the Legislature had previously drained $200 million from the county’s Clean Water Fund and questioned whether additional pauses and closer fiscal accounting were needed before asking residents to approve new revenue. “We owe $200 million to the Clean Water Fund,” Trotta said.

Other legislators who spoke in favor said the compromise negotiated with the county executive and stakeholders made the plan more workable, and several said they expected to revisit allocations in five years if adjustments are required. Legislator Steve Englebright, a longtime proponent of wastewater remediation, described the measure as a necessary step that balances short‑term catching up on sewer projects with longer‑term investments to replace cesspools.

The motion to adopt the local law for submission to the voters was made by Presiding Officer McCaffrey and seconded by Legislator Donnelly. The final roll call showed 15 votes in favor, two opposed (Trotta and Kennedy) and one legislator absent. The Legislature’s approval sends the question to the November ballot; if the public approves it, the additional one‑eighth percent sales tax would be used to capitalize the new fund and provide a stable local match for state and federal programs.

The proposal and its passage come after a robust public comment period earlier in the meeting: environmental advocates, conservation groups and union representatives urged approval, stressing local economic benefits and public‑health protections, while some residents and legislators urged caution about taxation and fiscal transparency.

The Legislature made technical adjustments to the County’s 2025–27 capital program at the same meeting, noting that a voter‑approved fund would increase the county’s ability to fund large infrastructure projects through matching federal and state grants. Pending legal, budgeting and implementation steps would be established after the ballot outcome, county staff said.