On Dec. 14, the Board of Legislators unanimously approved the 2021 operating budget for Westchester that reduces the County tax levy and lowers overall spending while preserving essential services. The Board also unanimously adopted 2021 County capital and special district budgets.
The $2.09 billion operating budget is $15.7 million lower than the 2020 budget. The budget reduces the county property tax levy by $1.0 million.
The adopted operating budget builds on the work the Board did last year, adding further support for community-based nonprofit organizations that provide cost-effective help to the County’s most vulnerable residents in dealing with hunger, domestic violence, eviction and educational support, among other areas.
In addition, during budget negotiations, the Board and County Executive Latimer reached an agreement to reduce the share of childcare costs paid by parents who are income-eligible for help from 25% to 23%. This was a top Board priority. Under the arrangement, the County will commit a portion of the childcare money it receives from the federal government to lowering the out-of-pocket cost of childcare programs to parents who qualify for the help.
Legislators also approved a capital budget for 2021 that takes advantage of historically low interest rates to invest millions in improving roads, bridges, parks, transportation, environmental facilities and recycling and sanitation programs. The County’s capital program supports 2,000 permanent jobs in Westchester.
Budget and Appropriations Chair Catherine Borgia said, “In a profoundly difficult budget year, I’m proud of the hard work, compromise, and ingenuity shown by the members of the Board of Legislators, County Executive George Latimer and his staff, and our County Budget Department. Working together, we responded to the economic challenges of the COVID-19 by making necessary adjustments during 2020, and now, we’ve been able to craft a budget for 2021 that cuts overall spending yet protects — and in many cases expands — essential support for working families and for our most vulnerable residents at a time when they need it most.”
Borgia added, “I’m especially happy that we’ve worked with the County Executive’s office to reduce the parents’ share of childcare costs for those who qualify for financial help. Access to affordable childcare is always crucial, but it is especially needed during the pandemic to help working families get back to jobs or hold on to them.”
Majority Leader MaryJane Shimsky said, “The 2021 Westchester County operating budget is meant to work for all of our people — from County taxpayers to families struggling with the impacts of the pandemic. It reflects the hard work and creativity of the County Executive’s team and the County Budget Department, as well as the Board of Legislators and our team. The funding we commit in this budget — to deal with issues
For the second year in a row, Westchester County Executive George Latimer has cut the Westchester County tax levy by $1 million dollars. Latimer signed the budget flanked by nurses at the Westchester County Health Department Clinic highlighting the unprecedented year that 2020 has been, and the extraordinary work of our healthcare professionals.
In the midst of a crippling pandemic and an economic downtown, Latimer kept his promise to the people of Westchester and signed the 2021 budget not only cutting taxes, but also maintaining all County services, and cutting expenditures by $15.7 million dollars in the $2.091 billion dollar budget.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “2020 has tested us like never before. We have seen things this year that I pray we never see again. However, I knew despite all the economic challenges – the last thing I could do right now is raise taxes. I know many people are hurting, and I want them to know I am fighting for them. I want to thank the people of this County for having faith in your County government.”
The 2021 Budget includes an additional:
· $5 million for Economic Development Programs
· $5 million for Housing Assistance Programs
· $2 million for Food Insecurity
· $1 million for Emergency Services Response / PPE
Before entering 2021, the 2020 budget year is slated to end with no layoffs, no furloughs, no service cuts and no borrowing for pension costs. And most important to the homeowners and taxpayers of Westchester, no increase in county property taxes for the second year in a row.
Thanks for the Holiday Gift of No Property Tax Increase-County Exec. Latimer and the County Board!
