Audit spotlights scope of Westchester's fiscal woes

<p>A fiscal audit of Westchester's financial health shows that by all accounts, the county's finances are a mess.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jul 9, 2018, 7:17 PM

Updated 2,117 days ago

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A fiscal audit of Westchester's financial health shows that by all accounts, the county's finances are a mess.
 The county had a $32 million shortfall in 2017. This year's projected deficit will be at least $28 million. Its rainy day fund is also growing smaller by the year.
County officials say the reasons for that reckoning are many, including the failure to close a deal to privatize the county airport, which could've brought in millions, along with unsettled labor contracts and an overall lack of transparency from the last administration.
While his name didn't come up, all fingers were pointed at former County Executive Rob Astorino. Current Executive George Latimer pointed to what his administration “inherited” as the source of the financial woes.
Latimer says he will lead the way out of mess, but warns that county residents should brace themselves for belt tightening.
He says that at this point, he has no plans to raise property or sales taxes. Latimer admits that he won't know what he'll be forced to do until much later in the year.
 


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