No Property Tax Increases In Ed Day's New Proposed Rockland Budget

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Ed Day unveiled his 2023 Proposed Budget for Rockland, by saying that things are tough enough without burdening families with a tax increase.

The county executive said that Rockland has come a long way in a short amount of time, fiscally speaking.

"Looking back at what we've accomplished over the past eight years is nothing short of miraculous to be honest with you," Day said announcing the new proposed budget. "We saved the county from the brink of fiscal collapse and a $138 million deficit."

Day told those gathered that the financial "discipline" is allowing the county to offer relief in the face of pandemic losses and, more recently, soaring inflation and energy prices.

The proposed $812.4 million budget that Day outlined includes no property tax increases. The plan will also eliminate the county energy tax, saving taxpayers approximately $11 million annually, which the county manager pointed out is equivalent to an 8.4 percent property tax reduction.

The new budget will reestablish a Commissioner of General Services to oversee purchasing, facilities, capital projects and IT and communication systems. The proposed budget calls for $1.45 million for new hires to improve county services.

$1.5 million will be set aside for college tuition assistance for volunteer fire fighters and emergency responders. Day is also asking for $518,200 for possible increases in funding to nonprofit contract agencies in Rockland County.

A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held on Tuesday, November 15.