2 Percent Property Tax Cut In Ed Day's New Proposed Rockland Budget

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — County Executive Ed Day unveiled his 2025 proposed $876 million budget for Rockland, which includes a property tax cut.

"I am proposing a consecutive 2 percent County property tax cut in our 2025 budget," Day said announcing the new proposed budget. "This is our way returning money back to the people, while remaining cautious."

Day said that disciplined budgeting and smart financial stewardship helped the administration dig out of the $138 million deficit that he inherited when he first took office in 2014. He said the proposed budget was based on the understanding that "every single tax dollar belongs to our hardworking residents."

"While most governments raise taxes to cover any expenses the County of Rockland is different," Day said. "We are operating efficiently by always finding ways to offset costs. I urge all my partners in government and our Legislature to stand with me in safeguarding the money of our residents and refrain from engaging in careless spending happening in other localities, agencies, and the state and federal government."

While Day highlighted fiscal responsibility introducing the new budget, he also noted a few areas where increased resources were prudent.

The 2025 Proposed Budget includes:

• Two percent county property tax cut.
• Cryptocurrency & Real Time Crime Center funding.
• Launching a Behavioral Health Training Institute and OPWDD Navigator Program.
• $1.3 million to the HERROES College Tuition Reimbursement Program for volunteer emergency responders.
• 10 percent funding increase to nonprofit contract agencies and 224 agencies.

"We are operating this administration the way government should operate… by keeping spending low, alleviating costs, and re-investing in our residents. I pledge to continue the prudent and protective practices that have gotten us this far," Day concluded.

The proposed budget must still be approved by the County Legislature.

"We plan a rigorous review of the proposed budget that will include meeting with each department head and our independent financial consultant, discussion about the implications of the changing retail sector on sales tax revenues along with all other revenue streams and expenditures," Rockland County Legislature Budget & Finance Committee Chairman Aron Wieder said.

Budget Timeline Deadlines:

• November 19 (tentative): County Legislature's public hearing on the Proposed Budget.
• December 3 (tentative): County Legislature will vote to adopt the Budget. If the Legislature takes no action by December 7, the budget is deemed adopted. If the Legislature amends the proposed budget; it goes to the County Executive for review; he has five working days after receipt of the amended version to veto. He has line-item veto power.
• December 20: County Legislature must override, or the amended version with any vetoes becomes the budget. It takes a two-thirds vote (12 votes) per veto item to override that veto.