Yonkers City Council approves $1.1 billion spending plan

The Yonkers City Council has approved a $1.1 billion 2016-17 spending plan that comes with a 4.1 percent property tax hike.
Democrats on the board voted against the plan, saying they would have liked to have seen more money go toward Yonkers schools, although the passed budget includes $1 million more toward schools than the mayor's original proposal.
Republicans say breaking the state's property tax cap was the only way to bring in the revenue needed once they decided not to increase the real estate transfer tax.
The spending plan goes into effect July 1 and needs the approval of Mayor Mike Spano.