This section will guide you in your campaign to consolidate/dissolve your special district. Follow these guidelines and you’re on your way to successfully ending special district abuse!
A consolidation/dissolution campaign has two phases:
- Petitioning Canvass (followed by 1st referendum)
- Educational Canvass (followed by 2nd referendum)
Petitioning Canvass
Here are links to both consolidation and dissolution petitions. Simply format the petition you want to use to fit a single page and fill in the necessary information, print, and you’re set to collect signatures in your district!
Consolidation
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Dissolution
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Identify the Special District and Understand the Abuse
- What special district(s) exists in your community? What service does it provide? Does it serve only your community or neighboring ones as well?
- Why is the special district abusive? Fraud, corruption, excessive or unfair taxation, unnecessary service, undemocratic elections, etc.?
- Use the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) to obtain all the factual information you need from the special district about its operations.
- Find out who serves on the Board of Commissioners?
Understand the Goals for Successful Consolidation/Dissolution
- Do you understand the New NY Act? Do you understand its guidelines and how you must follow these to function legally?
- How many signatures does your campaign need to create a consolidation/ dissolution referendum? (5,000 or 10% of registered voters, whichever is less)
- How much time is required of this effort? How many people do you need to work with you?
- Did you contact the Nassau County Government Efficiency Project for help?
