Oct. 15, 2009

County Executive Andy Spano today sent to the Board of Legislators a modest capital projects budget for next year – a budget that would fund only essential county services and infrastructure or projects that create jobs and protect the public safety. 

“Challenging economic times call for corresponding measures,” Spano said in his message to the legislators. “Essentially, Westchester County’s capital budget is our version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. But unlike ARRA, it is an annual shot in the arm for the local economy.”

Spano’s proposal calls for $95.4 million in spending, which would create 875 jobs building bridges and roadways, revitalizing buildings and park facilities and making sure that the government operations are more  energy-efficient to protect the environment for future generations.

It also provides funds for some public safety initiatives, the most important one being improvements to the county’s Fire Training Center in Valhalla. This center in 2009  trained more than 6,000 firefighters from 58 local fire departments.

“Firefighters put their lives on the line everyday so we owe it to them and their families to make sure they are prepared,” said Spano, in proposing to spend $5.9 million to construct the Fire Training Center’s Strip Live Burn Building. A live burn allows firefighters to train under real-life conditions, making them safer and giving them the skills to better save lives.

The capital projects budget is a spending plan for projects that the county would pay for with bonds. The interest costs of these bonds go into the county’s operating budget as expenses. The cost to Westchester of borrowing is kept relatively low due to the county’s three triple-A bond rating, the highest rating possible.

These credit agencies have repeatedly praised the county government for keeping its debt from capital projects far below the county’s legal limit.

The 2010 proposal must be approved by the Board of Legislators, who have until Dec. 27, when it adopts a final spending plan for the county.

Other highlights of the proposal in addition to the fire training center include the following:

• $24.1 million in spending to repair various roads and bridges in the county, including Warburton Avenue in Hastings, Weaver Street in New Rochelle, Old Post Road in Rye and June Road in North Salem.
• $8.8 million for rehabilitation of the Sprain Ridge Pool in Yonkers and $3 million for improvements to the Ice Casino at Playland, which is used by school youngsters for ice hockey,  figure skating and recreation. Both projects will create jobs, preserve county assets and invest in facilities that are a source of revenue.
• $10 million for the Housing Implementation Fund and New Homes Land Acquisition, a way to promote fair and affordable housing. These funds continue an investment begun by the former county executive. The $10 million is separate from the $51.6 million ($21.6 million that will come from HUD) that is under review to meet the Fair and Affordable Housing settlement.
• Other funds that continue Spano’s commitment to protect the environment by acquiring open space and addressing stormwater issues.

Separate budgets for capital projects at the airport and for sewer, water and refuse districts do not impact the county’s operating budget.

Priorities in the airport’s $4 million capital budget for 2010 are life and safety, protection of the environment and infrastructure rehabilitation. Major projects include funding for the Perimeter Intrusion Detection System, an invisible security net to protect the airport; the rebuilding of the Aircraft Rescue Firefighters Road, which allows rescue vehicles better access to the runways; and a Stormwater Management Program.

The proposed $47.1 million budget for the Refuse Disposal and Sewer and Water Districts is designed to protect the environment through continuing infrastructure upgrades and rehabilitation.