The 2001 Adopted Budget Books are now available on this site!

NOV. 14, 2000 

SPANO PROPOSES LARGEST TAX CUT IN COUNTY HISTORY 
2001 Budget would cut taxes for an unprecedented third year, bringing total reduction to 7.2 percent 

Westchester County Executive Andy Spano today released a budget for 2001 with the largest tax cut in county history. The $1.2 billion budget reduces the tax levy by $17 million or 4.8 percent. 

It is also the first time that taxes would be reduced three years in a row. If this budget is adopted, the Spano administration will have slashed the tax levy a total of 7.2 percent or $26.1 million since 1998. This 7.2 percent decrease will have been achieved despite a loss of $54.9 million in state and federal funds as well as increased mandates. Without these cost shifts, Spano could have reduced taxes by 22 percent.

"I promised to reduce taxes and I have done that despite an increased burden from the state and federal governments of almost $55 million,'' said Spano. "At the same time we are investing in the future of our seniors, our children and our environment. We have accomplished all this while securing our long-term financial stability. I truly believe we are a model for other counties.'' 

In addition to reducing taxes, the budget holds the line on bus fares and proposes no reductions in bus routes. It also provides funds for quality-of-life programs that are the backbone of the Spano administration -- those that protect families and the environment while helping residents who have not fully enjoyed the booming economy. Day care, anti-smoking initiatives, economic development and programs for the county's growing senior population are among the key items in the budget.

The $1,223, 020, 273 budget is 2.4 percent larger than last year's -- an increase below the current cost-of-living index. Here are some highlights: 

DAY CARE 

Spano's 2001 budget invests $17.8 million in county funding in day care -- a $13.2 million increase over 2000. 

The money would create 4,647 low-income daycare slots to help families coming off public assistance and to help working families remain self-sufficient. 

Under Spano's leadership, Westchester has been able to dramatically reduce its welfare rolls through better job training and placement and new programs such as case management -- which provide public assistance clients with one caseworker for more personalized service. Between 1998 and 2000, more than 3,100 families have left public assistance programs and another 1,200 are expected to follow in 2001. 

"We have record numbers of people coming off public assistance, many of them are single parents who need child care so they can stay in the job market. Now is the time for us to reinvest the money we will save by moving people off public assistance into programs -- like quality day care -- that can help them to remain self-sufficient.'' 

These day care slots are not limited to people making the transition from welfare to work. Nearly half the people eligible are working families who need affordable day care to remain employed.

"With more single-parent households, it is important that they have the support they need to keep working and that their children have a safe, secure place to stay while they are on the job,'' said Spano. 

SENIORS 

In recognition of the fact that 1 in 5 county residents is over 65, Spano is proposing to elevate -- at no additional cost to taxpayers -- the Office for the Aging to the Department of Senior Services to better focus on services they will need in the future. In Westchester County, the number of residents 85 and older is expected to double by 2020. The Office for the Aging is currently engaged in a three-year research project called the Millennium Aging Project, which is surveying seniors and their families about their income, lifestyle, needs for housing, transportation, employment, recreation, health insurance and other issues. Once the study is completed, the information will be used to better plan for the needs of seniors.

"With 76 million baby boomers headed for retirement, it is important that we plan carefully for the future to make sure that we have the services we need so people who are living longer than ever can also live healthy, productive lives,'' said Spano.

ANTI-SMOKING 

In his 2001 budget, Spano continues his commitment to the county's anti-tobacco campaign with $2.6 million slated for programs to stop young people from smoking. This would bring the total amount spent on anti-tobacco programs to $5.2 million over two years. 

Another $100,000 is budgeted next year to support the Asthma Clinical Research Center at the Westchester Medical Center.The grant to the American Lung Association of Hudson Valley will study the effects of asthma on children and methods of diagnosis and treatment.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 

 With the success of the county's new Office for Economic Development well established, Spano is proposing that tourism be added to the mix by incorporating the Convention and Visitors Bureau into the office. 

 The Office of Economic Development, created by Spano to attract and retain businesses in Westchester, has helped to improve the county's overall economy, slash office vacancy rates and stem the loss of tax dollars from certiorari proceedings. Between 1998 and 2000 office vacancy rates in Westchester dropped to a low of 11.9 percent, from 16.5 percent. As a result, certiorari claims are projected to drop to $8 million, from $11.5 million in 1998. This not only benefits the county budget, but reduces the local tax burden on homeowners in cities, towns and school districts.

Other programs funded in the budget include: 

Environment, Parks, Public Health

• $800,000 to add 14 new health department positions to bring mosquito control and surveillance programs in-house; 
• Expanded watershed monitoring and educational outreach to protect the quality of drinking water and increased environmental monitoring at the airport; 
• $300,000 for eight new positions to maintain county parks and golf courses; 
• $450,000 for "Chute to Chute," a new Playland ride that is expected to pay for itself and to help increase Playland attendance; 

Transportation 

• An additional $3.4 million for the Department of Transportation to maintain current fares and level of services and to make permanent an Austin Avenue route requested by Yonkers residents and store owners.

Public safety 

• $500,000 for a new child sexual abuse investigations team, which for the first time will bring together police, child protective services, the District Attorney's office, the County Attorney's Office and the probation and community mental health departments to work on cases. 
• Day reporting and substance abuse programs at the County Jail. Day reporting will help to reduce overcrowding, and substance abuse programs will help to prevent recidivism. 
•  The budget also protects Westchester's AAA Bond rating by adopting and maintaining sound fiscal practices. These include a "pay as you go'' policy for routine equipment replacement and maintenance, a $26 million debt stabilization reserve and a policy against using "one shot" revenues to fund programs. 

"Unlike other counties we have not mortgaged our future in the quest of lower tax bills,'' said Spano. "Our government is the healthiest it has ever been. We are smart and we are flexible, phasing out unneeded positions and using them to save money and to create other jobs when needed. For the first time in 10 years, we have contracts with all of our unions."