Cuomo signs county sales tax increase

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed off on the Property Tax Payer Protection Act in Westchester.

The legislation raises the Westchester County sales tax by 1%, to 8.375%.

The tax hike will impact 20 villages, 19 towns and the cities of Peekskill and Rye.

Cities, including White Plains, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and Yonkers, which are already at or above 8.375%, will not see an increase.

MORE: Westchester approves 1% sales tax increase

County Executive George Latimer says the 1% increase will allow the county to stabilize its finances. He says the Board of Legislators will hold a special meeting today to enact the measure.

"It is our sworn intent to submit a budget to the Board of Legislators this year that will freeze county property taxes," Latimer said.

Local governments and school districts will also get a share of the revenue generated.

Latimer adds that the fund balance, or rainy day fund, will be replenished after being depleted in the previous administration. He also says county property taxes will be frozen for the next two years, and the county will not have to sell parkland to help balance the budget.

The sales tax hike will go in effect on Aug. 1.