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The proposed spending plan “preserves essential services (and) maintains the safety net for the county’s neediest residents.” It holds expenses flat while increasing spending by less than 1 percent.
The tax levy remains at $548 million. According to Astorino, if the county had raised the tax levy even 2 percent, it would have cost Westchester taxpayers an estimated $1,700 during Astorino’s administration. He said that Westchester’s tax levy went up 60 percent in the eight years prior to him taking office.
“I made a promise to protect taxpayers, and I have kept it,” he said when announcing the proposed budget. “In doing so, much-needed money has stayed in the pockets of individuals, families and, in particular, seniors across Westchester.”
Funding for the Department of Social Services rises $8.5 million to $598 million under the proposal, with funding for daycares getting $2 million more, up to $37 million total. Funding for non-profits and libraries will remain steady and all of the Bee-Line Bus System’s routes will remain unaltered.
Fees for county golf courses will increase $1 on weekdays and $2 on weekends, and tuition at Westchester Community College will not be raised for the fifth consecutive year.
The largest expenditure for Westchester taxpayers remains county workers, who cost approximately $635 million - 35 percent, though Astorino said that since coming into office, he “has worked to control the cost of fringe benefits by negotiating contracts that require employees to pay a portion of their health insurance.”
With the budget proposed, it now goes to the Board of Legislators, where it will require 12 votes for approval.
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