Suffolk Review Flags Millions in Contract Spending

A new Suffolk County Comptroller’s report is raising questions about tens of millions of taxpayer dollars spent on outside agencies, including whether some county funding could be reduced without cutting services.

The review, issued by Comptroller John M. Kennedy Jr., examined hundreds of contracts with outside organizations receiving county funding as Suffolk prepares its 2027 budget.

“The County expends a substantial amount of money on non-mandated programs,” Kennedy’s office concluded, recommending that departments “judiciously evaluate” whether current and future contracts are necessary.

Of 839 contracts examined, 802 involved programs Suffolk is not legally required to fund. Those contracts totaled nearly $101 million in 2025, with a net cost to the county of approximately $37.4 million after reimbursements and other funding.

The review also found 45 contract agencies failed to file required financial disclosures by the Sept. 15 deadline. Those agencies accounted for approximately $8.5 million in estimated 2026 contracts. County law allows funding to be withheld from agencies that fail to comply with disclosure requirements.

Auditors identified 17 programs where reported revenue exceeded expenses by at least $200,000. Kennedy’s office said those surpluses could provide an opportunity to reduce county funding “and yet not affect program services.”

Another 39 agencies reported overall revenues exceeding expenses by at least $500,000. The review also identified 110 employees at 39 contract agencies earning at least $250,000 annually and recommended determining whether disproportionate portions of those salaries are being charged to county contracts.

The review is required under Suffolk County law. Audit & Control must annually compile and analyze financial information submitted by contract agencies and deliver a report to the County Executive and Legislature by Oct. 7 to assist officials in reviewing spending during the budget process.

The Comptroller cautioned that the agencies supplied the financial data and that it was not independently audited.