The Westchester County Board of Legislators held the first of three opportunities for public participation in the 2027 County Budget process Thursday night at the Doles Center in Mount Vernon. More than 60 residents and community leaders addressed legislators and shared their spending priorities as the Board reviews County Executive Ken Jenkins’s proposed operating budget, released November 9.
Speakers raised a wide range of issues, namely subsidized childcare, afterschool programming, arts funding, and care and protection of domestic violence victims.
Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels (D–Mount Vernon), Chair of the Board’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, who convened the session, said, “The County budget is how we put our priorities into action. That work starts with hearing from residents. Thank you to everyone who came out in Mount Vernon to speak with us. Our next session is Wednesday in Peekskill. I encourage everyone to come.”
Board Chair Vedat Gashi, Vice Chair Terry Clements, Majority Leader Judah Holstein, Majority Whip Shanae Williams, and Legislators Jewel Williams Johnson, David Imamura, and David Tubiolo listened intently to all the speakers during the session.
The Board will vote on the final budget on Monday, December 14, 2026.
Residents are encouraged to participate in one of the Board’s upcoming public forums about the 2027 County Budget:
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Ford Administration Building Auditorium
1031 Elm Street, Peekskill, NY 10566
Wednesday, December 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Board of Legislators Chamber
148 Martine Avenue, 8th Fl.
White Plains, NY 10601
For more details, visit the Board’s website: