No Increase To County Property Taxes
New City, NY, – Rockland County Executive Ed Day unveiled the 2023 Proposed Budget which does NOT include a property tax increase, layoffs, or program cuts. The County Executive detailed the proposed $812.4 million spending plan at the Allison Parris County Office Building in New City.
County Executive Day detailed the challenges Rockland faced when he was first elected back in 2014 including a $138 million budget deficit, a nearly year-long measles outbreak and the tumultuous economic climate.
“That is why this administration, along with the County Legislature, recently eliminated the residential energy tax, equivalent to an 8.5% property tax reduction, we capped the county’s sales tax on motor fuel purchases at $2 through February of 2023, and we are opting into the state’s new bill that increases the income eligibility for seniors seeking a reduction in property taxes from $29,000 to $50,000 for people 65 and older,” said County Executive Day. “My proposed budget will build on those efforts and bring further reprieve to residents from this costly economic climate, in a responsible and balanced manner.”
The County of Rockland has recovered from a $138 million deficit in 2014 to our current surplus which the County Executive credits to conservative budgeting, responsible economic growth and the hard work, insight, and creativity of county employees for this incredible turnaround.
“But just as our families are facing financial challenges, so is County government, which is why we are continuing to be cautionary with this surplus to shield ourselves from any crisis that is thrown at us – including a recession,” said County Executive Day.
The 2023 Proposed Budget includes:
- No Property Tax Increase.
- Energy Tax Elimination, saving taxpayers $11M annually equivalent to 8.4% property tax reduction.
- Reestablishing a Commissioner of General Services to oversee Purchasing, Facilities, Capital Projects and Information and Communication Systems.
- $1.45 million for additional positions to strengthen services.
- $1.5 million for college tuition assistance for volunteer fire fighters and emergency responders.
- $518,200 for possible increases in funding to nonprofit contract agencies and 224 agencies.
County Executive Day concluded the Budget announcement by reiterating his commitment to fiscal responsibility and refusal to put off costs or difficult decisions onto future generations.
“We have come a long way in Rockland, but I promise you this administration will not rest nor stop trying to do everything possible for the people of this county. We will continue the prudent and protective practices that have gotten us this far and work hard to preserve our County for future generations,” concluded County Executive Day.
Budget Timeline:
- By October 1 – County Executive must submit Proposed Budget to County Legislature.
- By November 15 – County Legislature must hold a public hearing on the Proposed Budget.
- By December 1 – County Legislature must adopt the Budget and/or submit changes to the County Executive. If the Legislature takes no action, the budget is deemed adopted. If the Legislature amends the proposed budget; it goes to the County Executive for review; he has five working days after receipt of the amended version to veto. He has line-item veto power.
- By December 20 – County Legislature must override, or the amended version with any vetoes becomes the budget. It takes a two-thirds vote per veto item to override that veto (Two-thirds is 12 votes).