County Legislator David Tubiolo was one of four No votes on the county budget
The Westchester County Board of Legislators made significant revisions to the initial FY2026 County Budget, including a reduction in the County Executive’s proposed tax increase from 5.27% to 3.7%.
The Board prioritized the restoration of County funding for maternal health, the Westchester Works childcare scholarship program, and critical community-based organizations.
A diverse array of voices at the Board’s two recent public input sessions and formal public hearing this week informed legislators’ recommendations.
Legislators voted on the FY2026 County budget at a Special Meeting on Monday, December 8. The budget vote was 13-4, with Legislators James Nolan, Margaret Cunzio, David Tubiolo and Tyrae Woodson-Samuels voting no.
In recent budget votes, Legislator Nolan was usually the lone no vote, but he was joined this time by Cunzio, a registered conservative and two democrats, marking the first time in recent memory that the usually unified democratic 15-member supermajority on the board split.
“I voted no on this year’s budget. I don’t know how I could vote to stress consituents’ finances even more, with Con Edison’s rate increase looming in the future, with many everyday costs continuing to increase. All these additional costs amount to a sizable burden that many would have a hard time having to shoulder,” said Nolan.
Board Chairman Vedat Gashi (D—New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) said, “I’m deeply grateful to the public for helping shape this budget and to my colleagues who worked tirelessly through this process. Our shared commitment to fiscal responsibility, compassion, and effective local governance has guided us every step of the way. This budget hasn’t been easy, but we’re standing up for working families, small business owners, and neighbors across Westchester.”
Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson (D—Elmsford, Greenburgh, Tarrytown, White Plains), Chair of the Board’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, said, “Our budget process is now nearing its culmination with the Board of Legislators’ Adds and Deletes Days, where my colleagues and I finalized negotiations with the County Executive and made careful changes to the proposed 2026 County budgets. This has been an especially difficult year, with deep federal cuts and decisions at the national level that have slowed the economy and led to a sharp drop in sales tax receipts—one of our primary sources of revenue. Despite these real constraints, we worked tirelessly to craft a balanced budget that protects core services and supports the programs, organizations, and communities that residents rely on every day. I am grateful to my colleagues, our staff, and our community partners for their persistence and advocacy in a challenging environment, and I remain committed to centering the needs of Westchester families as we move this budget toward final adoption.”
Majority Leader David T. Imamura (D—Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Edgemont, Hartsdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington) said, “I’m proud the Westchester County legislature is holding the line on taxes by cutting the County Executive’s proposed tax increase by 1.57%. In challenging times, we are working to ensure all residents can afford to live and work in Westchester.”
County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “I thank the Westchester County Board of Legislators for their diligent work and leadership in revising and passing the 2026 budget. The $2.5 billion dollar spending plan was shaped by one of the most challenging financial climates we have faced in years. The difficulties of 2025 will carry into 2026 and likely beyond, and this budget reflects the hard, necessary choices before us.
“We are operating in a moment of unprecedented instability created by decisions made in Washington by the Trump Administration – decisions far beyond the County’s control. Federal cuts, new requirements and tariff policies have injected volatility into local budgeting in ways we have not experienced in recent memory. This budget is a direct response to that Trump turmoil.
“Westchester’s 2026 budget reduces nearly all County department budgets by eight percent and eliminates 180 positions, reducing our workforce by almost five percent. Even with these cuts, we have produced a tax-cap-compliant budget that protects essential services, supports affordability initiatives and our workforce. For the average homeowner, this amounts to roughly $3 dollars more per month to sustain the level of service Westchester taxpayers expect and deserve.
“Again, I thank the Board for their partnership as we navigate this difficult moment together.”
More comments after the budget vote on Dec. 8 and comments from legislators.
