Latimer Budget Cuts Property Tax Levy By $7M

WESTCHESTER – Westchester County Executive George Latimer has released his 2022 proposed Operating Budget announcing a $7 million dollar cut to the County property tax levy. This is the third County property tax cut in a row for Latimer, and the largest cut in over a decade.

Latimer said, “This budget is about you, the Westchester County resident, and your finances. 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. We are committed to doing right by the people of Westchester County – and that is exactly what we have done.”

Latimer’s 2022 Proposed County Operating Budget totals $2.2 billion all while restoring fiscal stability. The County is closing 2021 with a $64 million operating surplus.

Latimer said, “My 2022 Proposed County Operating Budget funds necessary and critical programs all while cutting real property taxes for the third year in a row. There are no financial gimmicks, no one-shots, no borrowings for operating expenditures, and no use of reserves of any kind in my proposal. Additionally, my 2022 proposal doesn’t require any short term cash flow borrowing, a first since 2009.”

The proposed budget includes $25 million for economic development, $6.4 million for mental health, $52.8 million for public safety, $6 million for health services, $5.6 million for childcare subsidy expansion, $ 1 million for small landlord rehabilitation, $500,000 for youth upliftment, $1 million for a telehealth intervention program for seniors, and $300,000 for recreation.

Executive Director of the Westchester County Youth Bureau DaMia Harris-Madden said, “The Youth Upliftment Initiative was carefully curated with the aim to empower and challenge children and youth to develop agency and realize the future they deserve. The cross-system collaboration between the Youth Bureau, Parks, and the Department of Social Services will yield a relevant, inclusive, responsive and sustainable framework that will guide programming for children ages 9-12. Research suggests that the earlier the intervention the better, and we are grateful for the administration’s support to seed novel programming that may change the trajectory for children who have promise, but need real connection to all the opportunities that exist within our County.”

The spending plan now does to the board of legislators for its review and potential modifications.