The simple answer seems to be the additional construction of new cells, in effect what Nassau officials have chosen to do.

Nassau officials worry about the agency because of its financial repercussions.

Nassau officials immediately announced that they would appeal the court ruling, a process expected to take months.

"There is going to be a revolt against police pay," said one Nassau official.

With a rate of 8.5 percent, Nassau officials believe they have arrived at an uncomfortable threshold.

Last week Nassau officials tried to shift the blame for increased county taxes.

Nassau officials are likely to make a similar exception, a county spokesman said.

But he said Nassau officials must make the final decisions before the board officially weighs in.

Because of budget problems, Nassau officials kept the county's 4 percent sales tax on clothing.

But current and former Nassau officials said they sensed that public sentiment was behind the police.