Proposing Zero Increase to County Property Taxes

When I first took office more than a decade ago, Rockland County was on the brink of fiscal collapse, facing a staggering $138 million deficit. Today, I am proud to tell you that our finances are the strongest they have ever been in County history.

Through disciplined budgeting, tough decisions, and smart planning, we transformed our fiscal health from worst to first. Rockland now stands as the only county in New York State with the highest possible bond rating from both Moody's and Fitch's credit rating agencies. That is an incredible accomplishment, and it means we are recognized nationally as one of the fiscally strongest counties in the state.

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Over the years, we've taken real steps to deliver savings directly to you. We eliminated the Residential Energy Tax, saving families $12 million annually, the equivalent of an 8.4% property tax cut. We eliminated the Auto Registration Tax. We fully paid off our deficit bond. And we have not raised County Property Taxes in five years – in fact we cut them 4%.

This year, while we continue to face rising costs in areas like healthcare, pensions, and state-mandated services, I am committed to protecting our residents from unnecessary burdens.

That is why my proposed 2027 budget contains no increase in County property taxes once again.

At the same time, we are investing wisely in programs that matter:

• Supporting Volunteers: Our new Rockland County Firefighter Memorial is nearly complete, honoring those who serve. We are also continuing to support our HERROS program, which provides up to $6,000 in college tuition reimbursement to emergency volunteers. Since its inception, HERROS has reimbursed nearly a million dollars to those who give their time to protect us. Additionally, we've invested in Tunnels to Towers,

·Saving Taxpayer Dollars: Law Department finding ways to automate workflows to streamline processes. This helps us improve efficiency while allowing staff to focus on higher-level, strategic work. Our purchasing department is also modernizing procurement systems to make our processes faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective for taxpayers.

·Enhancing Security Systems: Our Information Technology Services (ITS) is investing in stronger cybersecurity, modern systems, and reliable networks to make sure government is dependable and secure for our residents.

These achievements would not be possible without the dedicated work of our employees, commissioners, and department heads. To all of you, I extend my deepest gratitude.

When you entrusted me with this office in 2014, I promised to be a respectful steward of your tax dollars. That promise remains at the heart of every decision I make.

I urge our Legislature to stand with me in safeguarding the money of our hardworking residents. Together, we can show the right way government should operate—by keeping spending low, investing wisely, and always putting our residents first.

Rockland's future is bright, and I remain committed to ensuring that our best days are still ahead.