CBS2 Exclusive: $1 Eisenhower Park Rental Fee Has Nassau Taxpayers Asking Questions

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Should one of the area's largest public parks be rented out to a private company for a dollar?

That appeared to be the case until CBS2 demanded answers.

Eisenhower Park is Nassau County's public jewel.

The park hosts golfing, free concerts, and this Sunday, the Colombian Independence Celebration.

As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported, thousands of revelers descend on the park, hosted by a private company which collects hefty fees for sponsorships and vendor booths.

The cost to use the public park was originally $1, until CBS2 started asking questions.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano's office declined an interview, but told CBS2 that the county wanted the event to be free for the public. The $1 fee was based on the organization's non-profit status.

But, "Due to the organization's change from not-for-profit status, the rate for the event has been set at $7,500."

J&A Global, the marketing company running the event, has been incorporated for years. The $1 contract was dated this week.

Taxpayer groups are concerned.

"There is no accountability there. They can charge one person $1 and another person $75 dollars for the same thing. I don't believe they charged them a dollar for no reason at all. Somebody's making money," said Claudia Borecky, founder of the Coalition of Nassau Civic Associations.

J&A Global is listed at a Baldwin home. They declined an interview, but insisted to CBS2 that the $1 was in a drafted contract. The figure was added to avoid leaving a blank until the final figures were determined.

The company pays thousands in police overtime, cleanup, talent, and security.

Even with the new $7,500 park rental fee added on Wednesday, the show will go on.

"All the Latinos coming here to celebrate everything, it's amazing!" one park goer said.

It begs the question, lawmakers say, why did a cash strapped county seem poised to rent out the park for free?

"Anytime the contract is for a dollar or a nominal fee we have to have a clear indication that it is a 501," Nassau Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said.

Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos, is currently auditing the caterers at the park, but said he will expand his audit to include all contracts for all events at the park.

A Nassau County Parks spokesperson told CBS2 that the county now has higher scrutiny on any events that are not county sponsored, and is evaluating stricter guidelines.