Westchester County Executive George Latimer signs 2024 County budget
By Dan Murphy
On Dec. 11, the Westchester County Board of Legislators passed the 2024 Westchester County Budget. The $ 2.7 billion budget includes additions approved by the Budget & Appropriations Committee. It reflects key priorities and investments in advocacy for youth, domestic violence, mental health, support for community centers and services, arts and culture, and environmental sustainability to make Westchester more affordable, livable, and safer.
BOL Chairman Vedat Gashi said, “As a Westchester resident with a family, I recognize that each dollar counts. As Chairman of the County Board of Legislators, I am proud that we have maintained our commitment to keeping the tax burden in mind while making great strides to achieve an upgraded Bond Rating to AAA. We have done this by carefully managing resources to revive medium-term growth for County residents while improving public safety, transforming our mental health care system, protecting our environment, and investing in our children’s future.”
The Operating Budget allocates $8.8 million to the many non-profits that provide essential services for Westchester County residents. Areas of focus reflect the priorities of the Budget and Appropriations Committee and include over $4 million for community centers and community-based services, $550,000 for cultural organizations, over $2.5 million for youth programming and services, $620,500 for organizations combatting food insecurity, and over $1 million for domestic violence.
The 2023 County budget will end shortly with:
- No Borrowing for Tax Certioraris
- No Borrowing for Pensions
- No Use of Fund Balance
- No Borrowing for Cash Flow
The 2024 budget has No Borrowing or One-Shots and No Increase in Property Tax Levy, for the fifth straight year.
The budget signing comes on the heels of Westchester County being recognized by Fitch Ratings with a prestigious “AAA” credit rating. The “AAA” credit rating is the highest designation possible and underscores the County’s commitment to maintaining a solid financial foundation. This recognition not only reflects the County’s current financial standing but also positions it favorably for future economic challenges and opportunities. The “AAA” credit rating is expected to have a positive impact on Westchester County’s ability to secure favorable interest rates when issuing bonds, ultimately benefiting taxpayers and supporting continued investment in critical infrastructure and community initiatives.
Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson Budget & Appropriations Committee Chair said, “The 2024 County Budget is a sound and balanced budget. It upholds our commitment to programs that meet the needs of Westchester County residents. I am very proud to Chair the Committee on Budget and Appropriations to usher through the approval of this budget today as it continues to emphasize health and mental health services, on the development of affordable housing and on environmental programs. This budget is also a catalyst for creating an even more inclusive economy. I am so glad we’re continuing the childcare scholarships and I am very excited about the new initiatives in 2024 including a new Director of Flood Mitigation & Resiliency and funding for United Way’s new Growing Together Westchester Family Resource Tool for new parents.”
Vice-Chair Nancy Barr, said, “As someone who believes that County government should protect the health and welfare of its residents while maintaining sound fiscal management, I am pleased that this year’s budget does precisely that. By taking advantage of unprecedented grant and trust funds that are available for flood mitigation, environmental initiatives, and health and wellness, we can maximize our impact without raising taxes or decreasing fund balance.”
Majority Leader José Alvarado said, “Bringing our county budget together is a year-long process. It takes strong governance, fiscal prudence, and as Majority Leader, it takes bringing our Board together so we can align on priorities that will best serve the people of Westchester in both the near term and in a sustainable way.”
