What is Ballot Proposition 2?

Proposition Two is a ballot measure that aims to enhance water quality in Suffolk County through significant public investments and clean water initiatives.

If approved by voters, Prop 2 would extend the Drinking Water Protection Program, funded by a ¼ percent sales tax, and creates a new ⅛ percent sales tax to establish the Water Quality Restoration Fund funded through 2060.

What will extending the drinking water protection program do?

Extending the drinking water protection program until 2060 means we can continue environmental protection, land preservation, and property tax relief can through 2060. This program also stabilizes tax rates for sewer districts.

Extending the Drinking Water Protection Program will generate $1.9 billion dedicated to purchasing and preserving Pine Barrens, open spaces, farmland, wetlands, and coastal areas that protect water resources.

What will creating a Water Quality Restoration Fund do?

Prop 2 would create a fund to restore clean water by connecting homes and businesses to sewers and financing clean water septic system replacements. The fund would be financed by ⅛ of a cent addition to the county sales tax. This would add approximately 12 cents per $100 purchase, less than $1 per week for most families.

The fund would generate $4.2 billion for clean water restoration.

What will the funds be used?

$2.1 billion will upgrade wastewater infrastructure, specifically strategic sewer construction, extension, maintenance, and connection.

$2.1 billion will be dedicated to tax-free grants to replace outdated, polluting septic systems with clean water technology. Each home is eligible to receive up to $30,000, which is paid directly to the contractor. Nearly all installation costs are covered by the grant. Replacing your own polluting septic system would cost more than $12,000.

The local funds generated will help Suffolk County qualify for more state and federal matching funds for clean water and land protection projects.

How do we know the money will be spent on clean water?

Water Quality Restoration funds can only be used to improve water quality in Suffolk County. A lockbox ensures funds cannot be used for any other purpose. A new 21-member independent Board of Trustees will oversee the fund, and annual, independent audits will be made public.

What will I see on my ballot?

“Shall resolution number 2024 to extend and revise the drinking water protection program and create a 1/8 of a cent sales and use tax to modernize Suffolk’s sewers and septic systems to improve the quality of surface and groundwater, be approved?”

Vote YES for clean water, Vote Yes on Prop 2!