FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 6, 2017

Contact: Jane Lerner, Director of Strategic Communications
Office of the County Executive (845) 638-5645
lernerj@co.rockland.ny.us

Rockland County Executive Ed Day Cheers Passage of 2018 County Budget

NEW CITY, NY – Rockland County Executive Ed Day praised the Rockland County Legislature for unanimously passing the 2018 budget.

"The fact that the last time the County Executive's proposed budget was unanimously adopted by the Legislature was ten years ago speaks volumes about the integrity of my 2018 county budget," he said. "I commend all the legislators for their efforts, and particularly wish to acknowledge Budget & Finance Chairman Jay Hood and Minority Leader Lon Hofstein."

The $684.29 million 2018 budget 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 will increase about $2 monthly.

Day said his only disappointment with the adopted budget was the unwillingness of the Legislature to set money aside to settle numerous expired labor contracts, some of which are subject to potential binding arbitration.

The County Executive strategically allocated $4 million in the budget to prepare for contract settlements.

Day had hoped that the Legislature would earmark the same amount, possibly from the sale of the empty Sain Building.

He said he hoped both branches of County government could work together to make sure the Sain Building is sold.

"The unanimous approval of this budget is the result of both branches in government working together to benefit the people of Rockland County," Day said. "This is government working the way it is supposed to work. "

County spending is essentially flat in the new budget even as the County deals with lower state reimbursements and increasing employee health care costs.

There are no layoffs in the budget. Numerous vacant positions were eliminated and new and redefined positions were created.