Legislators Approve 2023 County Budget With No County Property Tax Increases, Program Cuts or Layoffs

Rockland County legislators voted 10-1 to amend and approve a 2023 County Budget with no property tax increases, no program cuts, and no layoffs. 

“I am grateful that by working together, all sides were able to come to an agreement on a budget that will continue vital county services and maintain our county workforce - all without raising county property taxes a single cent,” County Budget & Finance Chairman Legislator Aron Wieder said.  

The $812.4 million amended, adopted 2023 budget includes $130.77 million in property taxes, representing a zero percent tax levy increase over the 2022 budget. County property taxes also were not raised in 2022. 

County Executive Ed Day plans to review the 2023 Amended Budget immediately and stated, “I am so appreciative of the effort put forth by the Legislature in reviewing my Proposed Budget. These collective ideas are a victory for all Rockland residents and provide a clear path onward. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the County Legislature in 2023 and beyond for the benefit of the people of Rockland.” 

While there will be no increase in the county property tax, taxpayers are in effect, also realizing the equivalent of a tax cut of at least 9.54 percent after the county’s Motor Vehicle Tax and Residential Energy Sates Tax were both eliminated in time for the new budget year – neither will be collected in 2023.  

The budget also reflects a reduction of the county’s portion of sales tax on motor fuel purchases, capping the tax charged to the first $2 of a gasoline purchase, resulting in roughly $5 savings for a typical fill-up. It is in effect through February of 2023. 

County Executive Ed Day has five working days after receipt of the amended, adopted version to issue any vetoes. He has line-item veto power. The Legislature has until December 20 to override any vetoes. It takes a two-thirds vote, or 12 votes in this case, per veto item to override a veto.