WHITE PLAINS, NY (May 22, 2025) — Westchester County is grappling with a $24.25 million budget deficit in its general fund for the 2025 fiscal year, County Executive Ken Jenkins announced, attributing the shortfall primarily to declining sales tax revenue driven by economic uncertainty.
Jenkins pointed to a combination of factors, including “ongoing chaos in Washington, the constant fluctuation of the financial markets, and the looming threat of new tariffs,” as key contributors to reduced consumer confidence and spending, which have directly impacted sales tax collections. He noted that the budget gap, despite adjustments like overtime savings, is expected to widen in the coming months due to a continued softening in consumer spending.
“While these projections are concerning, they are not entirely unexpected given broader economic trends,” Jenkins said in a statement.
He emphasized the county’s commitment to transparency and responsible fiscal management, assuring residents that officials are “closely monitoring the situation and making thoughtful, strategic budget decisions” to mitigate taxpayer impact while preserving essential services and long-term fiscal stability.
The county executive pledged to navigate these challenges with residents’ best interests in mind, focusing on maintaining fiscal responsibility amid uncertain economic conditions.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.