HUNTINGTON, NY—As part of his ongoing effort to require accountability from appointed officials, Suffolk County Legislative Majority Leader Jon Cooper ( D-Lloyd Harbor ) has introduced a bill that would give the Legislature the ability to remove appointed commissioners and department heads when there is just cause to do so.

Cooper’s proposed local law clarifies a 30-year-old inconsistency in the County Charter . It would apply to all appointed officials whose initial hiring was subject to legislative approval, regardless of whether they are appointed for a fixed term or serve at the pleasure of the County Executive . The bill also covers the numerous individuals appointed to Suffolk County ’s 50+ boards, commissions and agencies, all of whom are also initially subject to legislative approval.

Cooper was careful to craft his bill in such a way as to ward off potential political witch hunts. His proposal requires that any appointees facing dismissal be given notice of the charges brought against them and necessitates that the cause behind those allegations be articulated in a formal resolution to allow the appointee an opportunity to understand, respond and defend themselves against those charges. Any such bill would also be subject to all the rigors of the legislative process, including vetting and questioning in committee, opportunities for expert testimony and even ample opportunity for the public at large to express their concerns and opinions about the potential dismissal during the public hearings that are a part of all legislative meetings.

Just like other bills, if a resolution to remove an appointed official was adopted by the Legislature, the County Executive could still veto the measure. That would then require the Legislature to override the veto with a three-quarters majority vote. All of this does not preclude the County Executive from unilaterally dismissing any department head that serves at his or her pleasure. In addition, Cooper’s bill would actually afford more protections and due process for department heads that serve fixed terms than those who serve at the pleasure of the County Executive.

“This closes a major loophole in the County Charter and brings the Legislature’s role in the appointment process full circle, while also affording those facing dismissal rigorous protections from political witch hunts,” says Cooper. “More and more, voters are demanding accountability and transparency in government. My bill will accomplish both goals.”

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