Rockland's Proposed Budget OK'd By State Comptroller

NEW CITY, NY — The New York State Comptroller's office has given its approval to the 2018 Rockland budget proposed by County Executive Ed Day. The $684.25 million spending plan stays within the state property tax cap. It also projects an end to the county's multi-year deficit.

"Based on the results of our review, we found that the significant revenue and expenditure projections in the proposed budget are reasonable," the deputy state Comptroller wrote in a letter to the County Executive and members of the Rockland County Legislature.

"The Comptroller recognized that this is a solid, responsible budget that holds the line on spending while conservatively and realistically projecting revenues, including sales tax," the County Executive said. "There's no smoke and mirrors."

Day thanked Rockland Finance Commissioner Stephen DeGroat and Budget Director Steve Grogan for their efforts.

An audit of County finances done for the Rockland County Legislature predicted that the deficit that totaled $138 million four years ago will reach zero by the end of the year.

"We were on the brink of fiscal collapse four years ago," Day said. "Thanks to our careful management and the reforms we have put in place, we have done a total turnaround."

Day, who fended off an election challenge from a Stony Point Democrat, urged the majority-Democratic Rockland County Legislature to approve the spending plan.

It calls for a 1.95 percent tax increase, which is lower than the state-mandated property tax cap. For the average Rockland residential property owner, taxes would increase about $2 monthly.

County spending would remain essentially flat even as the county pays off $13.2 million yearly in the deficit bonds, deals with lower state reimbursements and increasing employee health care costs, Day said. The budget calls for no layoffs. Vacant positions are eliminated and new and redefined positions are created with a net reduction of 11 positions without layoffs.

SEE ALSO:

• Rockland's Deficit Aims At Zero by End of Fiscal Year
• Rockland Lawmakers Prep for Budget Review: Earl & Hood
• Rockland 2018 Budget Proposal: No Layoffs, Nonprofits Funded