‘We made a commitment to a two-year tax freeze, and this gives the taxpayers of Westchester some relief.’ County Executive George Latimer
Some Towns & Villages See 0% Increase
By Dan Murphy
Westchester County Executive George Latimer’s proposed budget for 2020, which includes a 1 percent county sales tax increase for all of Westchester – except its big four cities of Mt. Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle and White Plains – is helping local towns and villages keep their property taxes below the tax cap, and some with a 0 percent property tax increase for next year.
Latimer gave details of his budget plan last week. For the first time in Westchester history, the county spending plan hit $2 billion. The $2.1 billion budget includes a $1 million cut to the Westchester County property tax levy.
“We made a commitment to freeze county property taxes, and now we can go a bit further and cut the county’s property tax levy by $1 million,” he said. “This budget is about the people who live in Westchester County, it is about giving them some property tax relief, and at the same time working to make their county the best it can be – by providing services and programs taxpayers rely on while placing the county back onto solid financial ground.”
While Latimer and his partners in county government can rightfully call his proposed budget a property tax cut, in reality, a $1 million cut to a $2 billion budget is less than 1/10th of 1 percent. The more important fact about Latimer’s budget is that he has fulfilled his promise that if Westchester County received the sales tax increase, he would not increase property taxes for the county portion of a homeowner’s property tax bill.
The additional sales tax revenues will be shared with local governments (20 percent) and schools districts (10 percent). That 30 percent amounts to more than $40 million helping to provide additional property tax relief.
The share-back is directly responsible for the 0 percent increase to the Greenburgh property tax rate. Greenburgh expects to receive $3.2 million in unanticipated revenues in 2019 and 2020.
“The reason why the town was able to have a 0 percent tax increase is because of the decision of Westchester County Executive George Latimer to share revenues from the sales tax with local governments,” said Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. “This shared revenue will make it easier for all local governments to comply with the tax cap and work to end Westchester’s distinction of having the highest property taxes in the United States.”
Additionally, Lewisboro was able to keep its property tax rate below the New York State cap as a result of the additional sales tax dollars. Lewisboro was also able to spend $200,000 to cover likely shortfall in mortgage tax receipts, $150,000 to cover retirement cost of its parks superintendent, $70,000 to cover additional hours for its police chief and promotion of one patrolman to sergeant (caused in part by the NYS Pre-Trial Discovery Law reform), and $40,000 in balance restoration.
“The additional funding from the sales tax will help the town spread the tax burden more evenly, and is a first step toward being fairer to our senior citizens who tend to be property rich,” said Lewisboro Town Supervisor Peter Parsons.
Latimer’s budget plan does not include any one-shot revenue deals, it increases the rainy day fund by $10 million, and does not borrow for operating expenses. All ongoing expenses, including pension obligations and tax certioraris, will be paid through the operating budget, which, in the long term, saves taxpayer dollars, he said.
Westchester business leaders applauded the 2020 budget proposal, and the portions which increase new affordable housing initiatives by $1.5 million, $20 million in capital funds for the same, and $1 million for economic development research planning.
“Latimer’s proposal of no one-shot deals to restore fiscal credibility, the replenishing of the county reserves, and zero-borrowing exhibit a well-thought-out and sustainable approach to a longer-range plan,” said Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce President Dr. Gayle Marchica. “As a small business leader, I am hopeful for further economic growth, workforce development and profitability in our county’s business vista.”
The Business Council of Westchester President and CEO Dr. Marsha Gordon added: “As we look to recruit and retain Westchester’s future workforce, we need all levels of government to focus on how we can create future workforce housing so that employees can not only work in Westchester, but also can live here and raise their families.
“The county’s investments in economic development translates into job growth, new business stimulation and support, and solid investment in industry clusters that are thriving. This public-private partnership will create exciting and productive new economic opportunities, as these investments in small businesses in high-demand sectors result in business growth, job growth, and careers which support Westchester’s families.”
The Westchester County Association has long recognized the importance of housing in recruiting and retaining a talented workforce, said President and CEO William Mooney Jr. “We applaud County Executive Latimer for including $20 million in capital and $1.5 million for housing programs in his 2020 budget,” he said.
“The strongest message a leader can give is what they put in their budget,” continued Mooney. “County Executive Latimer, in his 2020 budget, has shown the business community that he is focused on business by including a property tax cut, eliminating borrowing for ongoing operating expenses, and replenishing the county’s reserve funds.”
Maintaining his commitment to the environment, Latimer has earmarked $400,000 for additional funding for environmental initiatives including stormwater gauges and Planting Westchester, a program that will plant trees, greenery and add community gardens for food security and carbon sequestration. The program is modeled after New York City’s successful Million Tree Campaign.
Working toward a complete count, Latimer has allocated $150,000 for Census 2020 initiatives to ensure that every resident in Westchester is counted so the county does not lose out on both federal representation and federal funding.
After the rash of hate crimes in the county, Latimer is also refocusing on the county’s Human Rights Commission and adding the position of a hate crime specialist to the department. Additionally, dollars have been set aside for anti-bias educational programs for schools and college campuses.
“Our goal is to help Westchester County become a place of mutual respect for all people, where everyone can experience dignity and feel valued for who they are,” said Chairman of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission the Rev. Doris Dalton. “We believe the addition of the hate crime specialist and anti-bias educational program will help the HRC reach our goals.”
The Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center Executive Director Millie Jasper added: “The Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center is grateful to and supportive of Westchester County Executive Latimer for his strong stance to promote anti-bias educational training, and for creating a position for a hate crime specialist. The center works diligently to address issues of bias, prejudice and hate in our schools and we look forward to sharing resources.”
Playland will receive additional funding for marketing and the county parks department will see additional staff.
Non-profits are also slated to receive an overall 3 percent increase, and the budget includes the creation of a non-profit contracting position to improve the procurement process. The chief non-profit contract officer will serve as a county-wide liaison to non-profit agencies contracting with the county.
“Nonprofit Westchester is encouraged by the direction County Executive Latimer has taken in acknowledging the value, and supporting the work, of the nonprofit sector,” said Non-Profit Westchester Executive Director Jan Fisher.
Additionally, the budget is making significant changes to how the county administers its daycare program by reducing the parent contribution for childcare from 27 to 25 percent, and granting a 3 percent provider increase.
“The Child Care Council so appreciates the county executive’s reduction of the parent share, which delivers meaningful assistance to men and women performing essential jobs throughout the county while trying to provide their children – our future workforce – with safe, nurturing and educational early learning experiences,” said Child Care Council of Westchester Executive Director Kathy Halas.”
Latimer has handed the budget to the Westchester County Board of Legislators, which is charged with passing the budget before Dec. 27, as ordered by the Charter.
