Watch the full News Conference Here
View the Westchester County Proposed Operating Budget
Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced his proposed 2024 Operating Budget, his sixth, marking another significant step in the County's journey to fiscal stability, sustainable development and enhanced public services.
Latimer said: “The 2024 Proposed Westchester County Operating Budget totals $2.4 billion and continues a commitment to programs that meet the needs of Westchester County residents. The proposed Operating Budget for 2024 maintains the same County property tax levy as 2023, marking the fifth consecutive year without a levy increase. This budget is a testament to our commitment to the residents of Westchester County.”
Budget Director Larry Soule said: “Since 2018 we have worked hard, under County Executive Latimer, to restore fiscal stability and improve the overall state of Westchester County. This dedication has yielded impressive results, as indicated by independent credit rating agencies. This is a proud day for the County.”
Stable and Positive:
- Moody’s: Aa1 (Stable)
- S&P: AA+ (Stable)
- Fitch: AA+ (Positive)
Additionally, due to another successful year of strong fiscal performance, the New York State Comptroller has recently lowered the fiscal stress score for the County to zero. This is the best score a municipality can achieve, indicating outstanding financial stability.
Closing 2023 with:
- No Borrowing for Tax Certioraris
- No Borrowing for Pensions
- No Use of Fund Balance
- No Borrowing for Cash Flow
For 2024:
- No Borrowing or One-Shots
- No Increase in Property Tax Levy
Latimer said: “This is great news for our County, as it demonstrates our commitment to responsible budgeting and holding taxes steady. This budget continues to place particular emphasis on public safety and emergency preparedness, housing, health and mental health services, as well as environmental and economic development programs. There are no one-shots, borrowing for operating expenditures, or use of any fund balance.”
Finance Commissioner Karin Hablow said: “The 2024 budget as proposed by the County Executive represents the most efficient spending plan while also continuing to provide the programs and services most needed by our residents and businesses. Since taking office in 2018, the County Executive and his team have been able to rebuild the County’s general fund balance from $134 million to $530 million. This has been achieved through efficient budgeting and close management of County operations. The result is that the County has now been restored to a position of financial stability and strength, and is better positioned to face any economic uncertainties in the near future.”
Business Council of Westchester President and CEO Dr. Marsha Gordon said: “As the County’s largest business membership organization focusing on economic development and advocacy, the Business Council of Westchester (BCW) supports County Executive Latimer’s ongoing commitment to creating budgets that are based on solid fiscal policies, which includes for the fifth year no increases in the County’s property tax levy and continues to receive positive reviews from the key independent credit rating agencies. As the BCW looks to recruit and retain businesses of all sizes to come to Westchester County, it is essential that they see that Westchester’s fiscal ‘house is in order.’ This proposed budget helps set that tone.”
Westchester County Association President & CEO Michael N. Romita said: “The proposed 2024 budget balances fiscal responsibility with needed investments in our economy and our communities. It reflects a strong commitment to addressing the housing crisis, the challenges of climate action, mental health, and the talent demands of our businesses, just to name a few. All while holding the line on taxes and maintaining a strong bond rating – particularly important in our current inflationary environment.”
Nonprofit Westchester Executive Director Jan Fisher said: “Nonprofit Westchester appreciates Westchester County Executive George Latimer’s commitment to social responsibility and fiscal restraint. His proposed 2024 budget shows an understanding of the importance of investing in the nonprofit sector, and reflects many of the recommendations Nonprofit Westchester has made in the numerous meetings and forums in which the County Executive and his team have so generously attended. Maintaining the same County property tax levy as 2023, which marks the fifth consecutive year without a levy increase, is commendable and benefits all Westchester residents and nonprofit and for-profit businesses.”
Continuing Initiatives
Health and Mental Health - $11.4 Million
- Maternal Mortality: A $1 million allocation to address maternal mortality issues in the County.
- FQHC’s: $3 million to bolster Federally Qualified Health Centers in the area.
- Tobacco Cessation: $1.5 million dedicated to promoting tobacco cessation programs.
- Telehealth (Seniors): A $300,000 investment to improve senior residents' access to telehealth services.
- Project Alliance: $5.6 million to continue the County’s innovative partnership between mental health providers and public safety.
DCMH Commissioner Michael Orth said: “Through the foresight of County Executive Latimer, and the collaboration of the County Departments of Community Mental Health, Public Safety and Emergency Services, local law enforcement and our community partners, we have developed an effective crisis system that is responsive to the behavioral health needs of our residents. Project Alliance provides essential training to law enforcement and first responders, responsive services through our Mobile Crisis Teams, and has strengthened our effort to create a seamless system of crisis intervention and diversion in Westchester.”
Westchester Community Health Center (WCHC) Chief Executive Officer Judith Watson said: “WCHC wishes to commend County Executive Latimer for his leadership in the delivery of yet another great budget that ensures that Westchester’s most vulnerable have not been left behind, and provides access to much needed, quality, comprehensive, high quality and affordable health care services, with dignity and respect for all”
Social Services
- Childcare Scholarship Program – expand eligibility to 500% of FPL
- Food Security Funding - $1.3 million
Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. Executive Director Kathleen Halas said: “Once again, Westchester County removes child care barriers for hard-working parents, not only making them a more available and productive workforce, but also ensuring that their children, our future workforce, will be ready to go.”
Environmental Initiatives - $25 Million
- EV Charging Infrastructure at County Parking Facilities: A substantial investment of $20 million to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure at County parking facilities.
- Grant Program for EV Charging Stations: An additional $5 million to support the installation of EV charging stations, a partnership between the County and municipal governments to vastly increase the number of EV charging stations.
Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability Peter McCartt said: “Transportation creates over a third of Westchester’s greenhouse gasses, and this budget further demonstrates how the County is doing its part for cleaner local air and mitigating climate change. The innovative municipal grant program for public EV chargers is a game changer; at least 50% of the cost of the charger and installation will be covered by the County because this program, which also helps with design and the applications to NYSERDA, ConEd, NYSEG, and Federal Government for the wide breadth of financial incentives.”
Housing - $90 - $100 Million
- Affordable Housing Investment Flex Fund: An allocation of $40 - $50 million to invest in affordable housing projects.
- Housing Implementation Fund + New Homes Land Acquisition: A significant investment of $50 million to address housing needs in the County by investing in the acquisition of property and investing in infrastructure to support new affordable housing.
Westchester County Planning Commissioner Blanca López said: “We continue to prioritize the development of affordable housing by adding a new program to our development toolkit with the influx of the Flex Fund Program – it is our goal that in a span of two years, we will be able to finance the creation of over 600 units of affordable housing throughout Westchester County.”
The Building & Realty Institute of Westchester CEO Tim Foley said: “At a time when the housing shortage has become a statewide and national issue, the proposed budget once again solidifies Westchester County and County Executive Latimer’s leadership on this issue. The New Homes Land Acquisition fund has been a true success story, dramatically reducing the cost of building housing that will be affordable to working families, teachers, first responders, public health workers, social workers, and so many others who struggle to afford to live in our communities. The Housing Implementation Fund has effectively made the investments in the infrastructure that enables our communities to support these new neighbors. Lastly, the Affordable Housing Investment Flex Fund will allow shovel-ready workforce and affordable housing projects to move forward despite the strong financial headwinds from high interest rates. These investments will enable us to fill many of the gaps identified in the Housing Needs Assessment and make critically needed homes available for the next generation of Westchester residents.”
Economic Development, Tourism and MWBE - $7.9 Million
- DIG Program (Downtown Improvement Grant): A $1.5 million allocation to enhance downtown areas and support local businesses and communities.
- Workforce Training with WCA: A $300,000 investment to provide residents with valuable job training opportunities.
- Tourism - ARPA Funded: $2.1 million dedicated to promoting Westchester County as a tourist destination.
- Sector Strategies: A $3.7 million investment to support various programs, including Launch 1000, Biosciences Accelerator and Element 46, all aimed at fostering economic growth.
- EDA Grant: Westchester County secured a $344,000 grant to further enhance its economic development capabilities.
Westchester County Economic Development Director Bridget Gibbons said: "This budget will help us continue to build a future where innovation thrives, businesses flourish and we continue to invest in our communities. Those are the principles behind a commitment to economic growth and prosperity, and those are the principles I’m proud to know are shared by Westchester County. This 2024 Economic Development Budget is a catalyst for creating an even more inclusive economy that will enable the continuation of our Downtown Improvement Grant program and deepen our multi-sector strategic commitment that is helping to cement local workforce pipelines for the emerging life science, clean energy, technology and advanced manufacturing sectors – and Westchester’s place as the ideal place to live, raise a family, have a career, or start a business.”
Westchester County Tourism & Film Director Natasha Caputo said: “Tourism is a key economic driver for Westchester County, with visitors spending $2 billion in 2022 and supporting 20,204 jobs. This funding will support the County’s goal to continue to strengthen tourism and, importantly, promote our businesses, from hotels and restaurants to shops and attractions.”
Westchester County Director of Policy & Programs Small Business and Chambers of Commerce Shari Rosen Ascher said: “The County Executive not only appreciates the struggles that many small business owners have had over the past few years, but has looked for ways to address this head on. The Downton Improvement Grant (DIG) is an historic and innovative program. The County is providing local municipalities with resources and expertise to revitalize main street. It is only under County Executive Latimer, that there has been a real focus on the small business owners who are such a vital part of our community.”
Emergency Services & Public Safety
- Full funding for all budgeted positions.
- Ongoing Threat Assessment Management (TAM) Operations.
Department of Public Safety Acting Commissioner Terrance Raynor said: “The budget proposed by the County Executive fully funds the Department of Public Safety, enabling us to remain at full staff and allowing us to provide the law enforcement services that the people of Westchester deserve and expect. We look forward to continuing to fulfill our core missions, including providing patrol and investigative services and supporting our municipal police partners across the County.”
New Initiatives for 2024
Planning
- Flood, fire and non-FEMA emergency recovery program.
- Funding for two nonprofit organizations, one in the northern part of the County and one in the southern part, to provide assistance to families in need during relocation and recovery. Total cost: $300,000.
- On-Call Planning Consultants, a total cost of $500,000 to expedite implementation of affordable housing and flood mitigation projects.
- Addition of a Director of Flood Mitigation and Resiliency.
López said: “The 2024 Operating Budget responsibly addresses the urgency felt by residents and property owners alike with respect to flooding and the effects of climate change. The resiliency position and programs included in this budget will assist the County and municipalities to establish recovery plans and help vulnerable County residents impacted by natural hazards to receive immediate assistance."
Mental Health
Outpatient Clinic Expansion: DCMH will pilot a program to expand outpatient clinic capacity to address existing waitlists and capacity issues. Total cost: $975,000.
Orth said: “We are greatly appreciative of County Executive Latimer for making mental health and wellness a top priority for our County. The pilot will help to address the increased need for outpatient mental health services and offer timely access to critical treatment for our residents.”
Housing
- Landlord Tenant Assistance Program: To fund Housing Authorities for necessary repairs of rental properties. Total cost: $7 million.
- Eviction Prevention Assistance: Funding for staff and contracts to provide eviction prevention legal services in the Office of Housing Counsel.
Emergency Services & Public Safety
- HERRO Scholarship Program: Increased from $500,000 to $600,000.
- Addition of two new Emergency Services positions: Fire Instructor and Program Administrator (Grants).
Department of Emergency Services Commissioner Richard Wishnie said: “The HERRO Program incentivizing volunteer membership in Fire and EMS organizations has been a huge success in increasing and maintaining membership in these critical first responder agencies.”
Correction
Introduction of a new class of Correction officers.
Correction Commissioner Joe Spano said: "Once again, County Executive Latimer has funded us at a level that prioritizes the safety of our employees and the incarcerated individuals in our care. This budget includes funding for another correction officer academy class, enabling us to safely conform to the New York State Commission of Correction staffing mandates. Keeping pace with our staffing requirements directly impacts overall facility safety and quality of life for both our employees and residents.”
Not-For-Profits
- $5 million included for Not-For-Profit funding.
- Increased discretionary non-profit contracts, with a cumulative increase of 39.5% since 2018.
Feeding Westchester President & CEO Karen C. Erren said: “Feeding Westchester is deeply grateful for the longstanding partnership and support between Westchester County and our organization. Thank you, County Executive George Latimer, for helping to ensure that we are able to continue to provide quality, nutritious food that betters the lives of the 220,000 neighbors in need that we, alongside our partners throughout the county, serve every month.”
Latimer said: “I look forward to working with your Honorable Board on this proposed budget as we continue our partnership for the residents of Westchester County.”