The president of the Roosevelt/Freeport NAACP is accusing Nassau County of breaking its pledge to award county contracts to minority firms.

President Doug Mayers says Nassau Executive Tom Suozzi promised four years ago that work projects funded by taxpayer dollars would reflect the diversity of the county population. Figures show Nassau?s non-white population is about 20 percent. Mayers says 20 percent of county projects should then be awarded to minority firms.

Nassau officials say contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, regardless of color. They say a database of qualified minority firms is being set up, but that county law encourages but does not force participation.