Fresh from his defeat in New York’s gubernatorial race, the Westchester County executive Monday proposed his 2015 budget, his fifth with no tax levy hike.
Republican Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino has unveiled a proposed $1.76 billion budget that holds the line on taxes. It also maintains staffing. Astorino point to nine unfunded state mandates, totaling $454 million, that he says will consume 83% of the county’s tax levy in 2015, the largest being Medicaid. The proposed budget includes $50,000 to cover Ebola-related costs, such as additional supplies and a contract with Empress Ambulance. Democratic county legislators are promising a vigorous review, for one, to ensure safety-net services are protected, which has been an area of contention previously. The Board of Legislators has announced two public hearings, one in New Rochelle November 20 and another in Somers November 25.
