Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi called for a study to determine the feasibility of consolidating the functions of local taxing districts as a means of lowering the property tax burden on Nassau residents.

Property taxes in Nassau are high in large part due to the hundreds of special taxing authorities, including libraries, water districts, garbage pickup, parks, road maintenance and school business spending, Suozzi said.

When the study is complete, "we should be able to say, 'If we consolidate these entities, it will save you X dollars and your services will either remain as good as they are now or improve,'" Suozzi said in a statement.

Critics maintain that the authorities in question are not currently under county control, so the study wouldn't mean much. Suozzi said local officials are already going on the offensive.

"People are sending out newsletters - four-color, glossy newsletters - saying consolidation is a bad idea," he said.

Nassau will spend $500,000 on the study, with the contract awarded to a consulting firm in late July or early August.

To watch Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi's press conference about government consolidation, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.