Latimer Takes Away Republicans Big Issue
Westchester homeowners pay the highest property taxes in the United States. We have heard that refrain for three decades now. It was the issue of republican county executive Rob Astorino from 2009-2017. During that time every effort was made to keep the county property tax increase at 0.
Now that the current County Executive , democrat George Latimer has done the same thing, republican supporters of Astorino back in the day are crying foul. But you can’t have it both ways and the facts are the facts. The homeowners of Westchester want PROPERTY TAX relief, especially during a pandemic, and that is what Latimer has done.
On Oct. 28, Latimer submitted a proposed budget for Westchester County that keeps county property taxes flat. This is the third budget in a row that Latimer has no increased property taxes. County property taxes have actually been cut slightly, by $7 Million in a budget of $2.2 Billion, a decrease of less than 1/2%, but it is a decrease, and the county tax levy has decreased overall in 2020, 2021 and now proposed in 2022.
We prefer to call it 0, and inform the voters that the county portion of their propert tax bill will not increase next year as a result of budgets submitted by Latimer.
Latimer said:“This is the largest tax cut in recent memory. I am proud of this budget and proud that through smart and innovative budgeting we have been able to cut taxes responsibly again, find new revenue sources, save and provide needed services to County residents. This is not rhetoric or lip service – this is results – this is good governing. We are committed to doing right by the people of Westchester County – and that is exactly what we have done.”
Latimer’s budget maintains all county services and includes increased funding for childcare subsidies, mental distress centers, healthcare clinics and small landlord assistance, which will provide funding for improvements in exchange for landlords agreeing to keep rents affordable.
Earlier this month, Latimer submitted a proposed Capital Budget for Westchester, which includes $152.4 million for the sewer and water districts. Many Westchester communities realize the need for improvements to their sewer and water lines after Ida.
Latimer said: “Over the past four years we have made significant investments in our County’s infrastructure, while maximizing efficiencies to reduce costs, improved the County’s bond rating and we have done all of this while cutting County property taxes for our residents. We are not here to let things fall apart while spewing rhetoric – we are here to get results and to make life better for the over one million people who call Westchester County home. This is our County, and together we will work to make Westchester County the strongest it can be.”
Let’s call it like it is Westchester. The same rules apply for both democrat and republican. For the third year in a row Westchester County property taxes will not increase.
