NY Comptroller Reviews Rockland Budget For 10th And Last Time

NEW CITY, NY — More than a decade after Rockland faced such dire fiscal straits that the county had to borrow $96 million to pay its deficit, the New York State Comptroller's Office has done its final review — and approved the proposed budget for 2024.

In 2013, when the state authorized Rockland to issue bonds to liquidate the accumulated deficit, the deal was that the county administration would have to submit its spending plan every year for review by the State Comptroller before the County Legislature approved it.

Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski (D-New City) said at the time, "My colleagues and I worked hard to add protections to this bill that could assure Rockland's beleaguered taxpayers that past budgeting mistakes were not repeated. This bill gives the state comptroller unprecedented authority to review Rockland's budget and order corrections. Long term structural changes remain necessary to fix Rockland's fiscal problems, however, I believe this new state oversight will assure taxpayers that Rockland's budgeting practices will improve."

For 2024, the Comptroller's Office reviewed the proposed $870 million spending plan, which includes a 2 percent property tax cut, more investments in social services, and more funding for the college tuition assistance program for volunteer firefighters and emergency responders.

"We identified and examined significant estimated revenues and expenditures for reasonableness, with emphasis on significant and/or unrealistic increases or decreases," Assistant Comptroller Randy L. Partridge wrote in a letter to the County Executive and members of the Rockland County Legislature. "Based on the results of our review, we found that the significant revenue and expenditure projections in the proposed budget are reasonable."

This is the 10th and final review from the New York State Comptroller’s Office. SEE: State Comptroller: 2014 Proposed County Budget Needs Revision

The county’s deficit bond will be paid off in 2024.

"We have come a long way in Rockland, but I promise you this administration will continue the prudent and protective practices that have gotten us this far to preserve our County for future generations," said County Executive Ed Day, thanking the Comptroller's Office for its review. "I additionally want to thank Rockland Finance Commissioner Stephen DeGroat and Deputy Budget Director Steve Grogan for their efforts on this budget."

He said his administration has been working with the Rockland County Legislature through the budget review process. Key dates:

• Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m., full Legislature Meeting and Public Hearing on Budget
• Thursday, Nov. 16, 6 p.m., Budget Review
• Tuesday, Nov. 28, 7:15 p.m., Budget Review
• Monday, Dec. 4, 6 p.m., Adoption of Financial Schedules
• Tuesday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m., Full Legislature Meeting and Vote to Adopt Budget.

SEE ALSO:

• Rockland Legislature Starts Review Of $870M County Budget Proposal for 2024
• Back From The Bottom: Rockland Bond Rating Rises Again
• Rockland Better But Still Among Most Fiscally Stressed Counties
• Rockland $723M Budget Plan Includes 326 Layoffs
• Governor Signs Bill Allowing Rockland To Borrow $96 Million
• Rockland 2012 Deficit Could Top $111 Million
• Rockland County's Fiscal Crisis Takes Center Stage