Public meeting scheduled on proposed 2026 Westchester County budget looks to raise property taxes; cut back county workforce
Tonight, people will have the chance to weigh in on the proposed 2026 county budget. County Executive Ken Jenkins says some "tough but necessary"
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Westchester County taxpayers have some of the highest property taxes in the nation and they may soon have to pay even more.
Tonight, people will have the chance to weigh in on the proposed 2026 county budget. County Executive Ken Jenkins says some "tough but necessary"
decisions had to be made to close a projected $197.7 million deficit.
The $2.5 billon spending plan calls for 8 percent reductions in every county department, and a hard hiring freeze that eliminates 180 positions.
The budget essentially cuts the county workforce by almost 5 percent, but Jenkins says he's committed to maintaining core services and avoiding layoffs.
Despite the cuts, the proposed budget still raises the property tax levy by 5.27 percent, the maximum allowed under state law. Jenkins says the increase will cost the average homeowner about $60 a year per $500,000 in assessed value.
The county executive blames the budget on what he calls Trump turmoil".
Jenkins, a Democrat who won reelection last week says, "federal cuts, shifting aid formulas, and trade tariffs have left local governments across the country — including Westchester — struggling to plan around unpredictable conditions."
Jenkins also points to MGM's last minute decision to pull it's bid for a full gaming casino. That cost the county $17 million in annual revenue.
Tonight's public hearing is being held at the Peekskill schools administration building at 6 p.m.
