Legislators Unanimously Approve 2024 County Budget With 2% County Property Tax Cut

Rockland County legislators voted 13-0 on Tuesday, December 5  to slightly amend and approve a 2024 County Budget that includes a 2 percent property tax cut, maintains programs, and has no layoffs. 

“The 2024 budget comes after a decade of hard work that saw the elimination of a deficit, the implementation of new budgeting processes, and the reduction or elimination of county taxes whenever possible, including the motor vehicle tax, the residential energy sales tax, no county property tax increases for 2023 and 2022, and now for 2024, a 2 percent county property tax reduction,” Rockland County Budget & Finance Committee Chairman Legislator Aron Wieder said. “We have truly come a long way.” 

The $870 million amended adopted 2024 County Budget reflects a decrease of about $2.6 million – 2 percent – in property taxes. Additionally, there are no layoffs or service cuts, there is additional funding for patriotic observances, additional positions to strengthen Social Services and funding for nonprofit contract agencies. 

“We met with the County Executive and his staff and worked in a collaborative way to find common ground on the overall approach to the budget, including expenditures, revenue sources, a property tax reduction, and more,” Legislator Wieder said. “The efforts paid off with a budget that represents our shared values when it comes to Rockland County’s residents and businesses.” 

County Executive Ed Day plans to immediately review the 2024 Amended Budget and stated, “I extend my gratitude to the Legislature for their diligent review of my Proposed Budget. The collaborative contributions and innovative ideas emerging from this process mark a triumph for every resident of Rockland, offering a well-defined trajectory for the future. I eagerly anticipate ongoing collaboration with the County Legislature in 2024 and beyond, ensuring the collective well-being and prosperity of the people of Rockland.” 

County government made multiple changes to its budgeting processes as part of addressing the financial crisis, which arose as part of the national housing crisis that so severely impacted communities across America. 

Among the processes put in place: 

• Adoption in 2013 of the County Fiscal Stabilization Act requiring the creation of a fund balance account to be used for contingencies such as unexpected decreases in state or federal funding, increases in unfunded mandates, and responses to unexpected damage from weather emergencies (Hurricane Sandy, Irene). 
• Changes to the County Charter in 2014 that require the County Executive to submit his proposed annual budget by October 1 instead of October 23 to provide additional review time. 
• Adoption of a law in 2015 to require Legislative approval of any vacant positions filled between October 1 and December 20 of each year. 
• Increasing oversight in 2017 of nonprofit organizations under County Law 224, which allows appropriations for certain public benefit services. A Legislative oversight committee and procedure changes were established, including annual audits and requirements to verify how funding is spent. 
• Updates throughout the year regarding the budget status – where its revenues and expenditures stand. 
• Continuation of annual detailed budget reviews with the Administration, financial experts, and department heads. 

Since the County was authorized to issue deficit reduction bonds in the amount of $96 million to liquidate the accumulated deficit, it has been required to submit the proposed budget to the Comptroller’s office for review each year until the debt is paid. This is the final year of such review as Rockland County successfully pays off the deficit in 2024. 

“From a deficit of more than $125 million about a decade ago to a surplus today, we have come a very long way, and it is in good part to making the hard decisions that needed to be made and to the collaborative efforts of the County Executive’s Office and the County Legislature,” Legislator Wieder said. “I hope that spirit of working toward shared goals continues to set the tone as we move forward.” 

The County Executive has until Wednesday, December 13,  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 per veto item to override a veto (Two-thirds is 12 votes).