By Marsha Silverman
Polling statistics regularly reflect that people, in general, don’t trust the government. I hear it myself, and it’s simply because career politicians spin information, regardless of truth or accuracy. That was the case with the recent financial release of Glen Cove’s 2024 financials.
The city administration touted an $88,000 “surplus” at the end of 2024. While it’s better to have a positive balance — a surplus — than a negative one — a deficit — when the books close at the end of the year, it’s important to understand the underlying drivers to get a full picture.
Digging into the 2024 audited financial statements, I saw that Glen Cove’s long-term liabilities — its debts — totaled $195.8 million, an increase of $912,698 from the year before. In other words, the city increased the amount it borrowed by almost $1 million in 2024. It was the borrowed money that led to the “surplus.” That’s like taking out a cash advance on your credit card, spending most of it, but saving a small amount and claiming that you’re flush with cash. The so-called surplus wasn’t an operating surplus of revenue, but rather just more debt to be paid back with interest. To call this $88,000 a surplus was completely misleading.
People also lose faith in the government when a government action is portrayed as a benefit, but the result is the opposite. Let’s use payments in lieu of taxes, or PILOTs, as another example. Glen Cove administrations have consistently rationalized that such tax breaks will benefit the city. In 2024, nine local properties received PILOTs. Had those properties paid the standard tax rate applied to their assessed values, like all other properties are required to do, the city would have collected an additional $6 million — and not just in 2024, but in every year for the duration of the PILOTs.
The standard tax rate is calculated to cover the services provided to each property. When one property doesn’t pay its fair share, the remaining property owners must effectively subsidize it by paying more to cover all the city services the PILOT-granted properties enjoy. The granting of PILOTs over the past several years has negatively impacted the taxpayers of our city, forcing them to pay higher taxes to cover the lower payments of those granted the PILOTs. More misleading information given to the public.
Lack of transparency in governmental actions erodes public trust faster than anything. Regardless of party, the administration of Glen Cove has a responsibility to share information with all duly elected representatives. During this election year, and even before now, the Democratic and independent members of the City Council have been iced out of many important conversations, and given information only at the last minute, when called on to vote. This prevents those council members from doing due diligence on behalf of the public.
It’s the job of the mayor to share all information with all council members at the same time. How else can this body, elected by the people, operate in the best interests of the city? It can’t, plain and simple. And that does a disservice to Glen Cove.
A set of standard operating procedures would go a long way to promote transparency in our government. This city doesn’t have SOPs. The questions I raise at meetings are invariably about a lack of process or a lack of information. It’s the job of your representatives to make sure decisions are properly vetted to mitigate risk, prevent liability and ensure fairness and objectivity — not just to vote aye or nay. That is what the public deserves, and what the public should demand.
Democracy only works with public participation. It is incumbent on the public to be involved, to attend or watch public meetings and research issues to get to the truth.
I will continue to ask the hard questions, demand all the information required to make common-sense decisions, and work with everyone to help make Glen Cove the best it can be for everyone. Hold me and every one of your elected officials accountable, because getting the truth from us is critical to restoring trust in government. Voting is the only way we get the government we deserve.
Marsha Silverman is a Glen Cove city councilwoman.
