Westchester County Adopts $2.4 Billion Budget For 2024

WHITE PLAINS, NY — The Westchester County Board of Legislators passed and County Executive George Latimer signed a spending package for 2024.

The county budget totals $2.4 billion and maintains the same property tax levy as 2023, making it the fifth consecutive year without a levy increase, according to a county spokesperson.

Latimer said he was proud to sign the 2024 budget Monday, calling it “a testament to our commitment to fiscal responsibility and sustainable growth in Westchester County.”

He said the spending package offers support for the county’s most vulnerable residents by funding Federally Qualified Health Centers, helping children with special needs, providing safety net services and programs to address food insecurity, addressing the digital divide and workforce development, while also supporting arts and cultural programs and addressing flooding across Westchester.

“This is a balanced, fiscally responsible budget that assists all residents,” Latimer said.

Board Chairman Vedat Gashi, D-New Castle, Somers, Yorktown, said he was proud to have maintained a commitment to keeping the tax burden in mind.

“As a Westchester resident with a family,” he said, “I recognize that each dollar counts.”

The capital budget has $510.7 million in new appropriations, including $354.7 million for general county purposes for upgrades and improvements in housing, environmental initiatives, parks, infrastructure and transportation, with $156 million for refuse, sewer and water districts.

The operating budget allocates $8.8 million to many nonprofits that provide essential services for county residents. They include more than $4 million for community centers and community-based services, $550,000 for cultural organizations, more than $2.5 million for youth programming and services, $620,500 for organizations combatting food insecurity and more than $1 million for domestic violence.

Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson, D-Elmsford, Greenburgh, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, White Plains, who is the chairwoman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, said the 2024 budget was sound and balanced.

“It upholds our commitment to programs that meet the needs of Westchester County residents,” she said.

Johnson said she was glad the county was continuing the child care scholarships and was excited about new initiatives such as a director of flood mitigation and resiliency and funding for the United Way’s new Growing Together Westchester Family Resource Tool for new parents.