County Executive Holds Town Hall Meeting in Suffern Nov. 20 on Controversial Budget Plan

A town hall meeting to discuss a variety of county issues, including the 2015 proposed budget, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Suffern Free Library.

• Residents of Rockland County are invited to bring any question or idea they want to discuss face-to-face with County Executive Ed Day.
• Residents may also submit questions in advance via email at Q&AEdDay@co.rockland.ny.us
• Those unable to attend may watch the Town Hall meetings via a live stream on the County’s website.
• Online viewers are invited to submit questions via email or through Rockland County’s official Facebook page or Twitter account using #RocklandTownHall.

Day will discuss priorities in his $772 million fiscal plan, which cuts spending and holds property taxes to the state-mandated tax cap.

The budget proposal is controversial because it calls for eliminating the county sheriff’s Mounted Patrol. Proponents cite a report detailing inefficiencies and redundancies; opponents cite safety and the loss of employment for 37 people.

The draft budget has been reviewed by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who praised the county administration for crafting a spending plan that complies with the state-imposed property tax levy cap with no appropriation from the general fund balance.

According to the review, the county is taking the necessary steps toward reducing the prior administration’s deficit of $138.5 million. In 2012, the Legislature passed a local law to pay down this outstanding deficit by $10 million annually until the deficit is erased—a long-range effort of 14 years.

DiNapoli’s analysis noted the $10 million appropriation in the 2015 budget proposal. “We commend County officials for taking positive action to begin reducing the remaining deficit,” reads the report.

The proposed property tax increase of 2 percent marks the first time Rockland County has not exceeded the tax cap introduced by Governor Cuomo in 2011, county officials said.

Staffers said Day will also provide an update on the progress his administration is making in delivering on his core priorities: stabilizing Rockland’s finances, promoting economic growth and preserving the County for future generations.

WHAT: ‘town hall’ forum on the Rockland County budget

WHERE: Suffern Free Library - 210 Lafayette Avenue, Suffern

WHEN: 7 p.m. Nov. 20 -