WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino today joined six members of the bi-partisan coalition of legislators to sign his $1.8 billion budget for 2016 that maintains the two goals he established at the start of the negotiations: no increase in the tax levy and no raiding of the “rainy day” fund to pay for operational expenses.
The coalition budget passed on Monday and had the support of two Democrats and eight Republicans, giving it one more vote than the necessary nine to pass. It was negotiated by the Administration, County Board of Legislators’ Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, Vice Chairman James Maisano, Republican Majority Leader John Testa and Budget Chairperson Sheila Marcotte.
Highlights from the coalition budget include:
· Tax Levy: $548 million – no increase from 2015
· Spending: $1.8 billion – flat to 2015
· Safety Net: $595 million – no decrease from 2015
· Unrestricted Reserves (Rainy Day Fund): $140 million – no decrease from 2015
· Headcount: 4,160 total general fund position count – four layoffs and 64 vacancy eliminations.