Westchester County Executive George Latimer signed his 2023 Westchester County Budget, cutting the County Property Tax Levy by $6 million, flanked by members of the Westchester County Departments of Emergency Services, Corrections, Probation and Public Safety. The budget was passed by the county Board
of Legislators earlier in the day, bipartisan 17-0.
Latimer said: “I am signing this budget today and thinking of all the families who are preparing for the holidays – this budget is for them. We have cut taxes again and have done so while also expanding the programs and services they have come to depend on. I am proud of this budget, and our collaboration with the
Board of Legislators; this is what honest and fair governing is, that is who we are as an administration and as a County.”
The total budget is $2.365 billion and includes Latimer’s fourth County property tax cut in a row. Closing 2022 with projected $65.9 million operating surplus
No borrowing for tax certs – No borrowing for pension – No use of fund balance – 2023 Budget contains no borrowing or one-shots – No borrowing for tax certs –
No use of fund balance – No borrowing for cash flow
County Board of Legislators Chairwoman Catherine Borgia: “Westchester County is stronger and in a better state financially, and we are paying it forward to
our residents. We’ve prioritized meaningful investments in areas that affect our constituents every day. Parents receiving subsidies can now pay less out of pocket to afford better quality childcare.
We’re closing the digital divide by expanding internet access throughout the County. We’ve increased funding for community-based organizations providing
services directly to those who need them. I am excited for all that we will accomplish in 2023 through mutual commitment and collaboration with the County
Executive’s Office.”
The 2023 Budget funds the departments of Corrections, Public Safety, Probation and Emergency Services at the highest levels in Westchester County history:
• Correction $156.6 million
• Public Safety $59.1 million
• Probation $50.2 million
• Department of Emergency Services $13 million
The County is also focusing on food assistance, the Budget has $2 million in funding for Feeding Westchester and food pantries around the County. Additionally, for Child Care, the Budget reduces the parent share from 27% in 2018 to 5% in 2023. Economic Development accounts for $6 million in the
2023 Operating Budget, with a focus on the Life Sciences, Tourism and Healthcare Sectors. This includes $1.4 million for the Downtown Improvement Grant
(DIG) Program.
The budget allots $218.7 million for the County Health Department, that includes $1 million for maternal mortality. Additionally, the budget is expanding funding to Federally Qualified Health Centers/Neighborhood Health Centers by $1 million bringing the total to $3 million.
The 2023 Budget has $17.2 million for the Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), specifically the Project Alliance Mobile Crisis Response
Team, $6.1 million for Crisis Network and 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline, $565,000 for Opioid Response and Overdose Prevention Initiative and $737,892 Early Childhood Mental Health Services.
The budget has $1.3 million for the Human Rights Commission, money that will be used to fund an additional investigator. Youth Bureau funding is $4.7 million dollars in the Budget, including $3.1 million for Invest in Kids and funding for new programs based on the youth needs assessment.
