Government

Rockland County Executive Ed Day Submits 2024 Proposed Budget With 2% Tax Cut to Legislature

Published

1 year ago

October 2, 2023

NEW CITY, NY – Rockland County Executive Ed Day unveiled his proposed 2024 $870 million budget at the Robert Yeager Health Complex in New City Monday, which includes a 2% County Property Tax cut.

“On the heels of zero County property tax increases two years in a row, this year I am proposing a 2% reduction in the County property tax,” said County Executive Day. “This 2% reduction is a huge leap from the double-digit tax increases from years past.”

The reprieve is attributed to the County of Rockland recovering from a $138 million deficit in 2014 to a surplus resulting from conservative budgeting, responsible economic growth, and hard work of county employees.

“Our economic turnaround is nothing short of miraculous. I thank our dedicated employees for staying true to our commitment to conservative spending which is enabling us to absorb costs while still providing reprieve for our residents in a responsible and balanced manner,” said County Executive Day.

The 2024 Proposed Budget includes:

2% County Property Tax Cut.
Increasing amounts available for patriotic observances from $1250 to $3000.
$1 million for additional positions to strengthen our Department of Social Services, seeing increasing demand.
Another $1.5 million for college tuition assistance for volunteer fire fighters and emergency responders.
An additional 10% in possible funding increases to nonprofit contract agencies and 224 agencies.

County Executive Day concluded the Budget announcement by reiterating his commitment to fiscal responsibility and refusal to put off costs or difficult decisions onto future generations.

“We have come a long way in Rockland, but I promise you this administration will not rest nor stop trying to do everything possible for the people of this county. We will continue the prudent and protective practices that have gotten us this far and work hard to preserve our County for future generations,” concluded County Executive Day.

“The details of an $800 million budget require a detailed review, but based on what the County Executive announced today, it appears to be a good solid footing,” Rockland County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. said. “The most important goal is that we have the most efficient spending plan while also continuing to provide the services our residents and businesses rely on.”

Rockland County Legislature Budget & Finance Committee Chairman Aron Wieder said a schedule of budget review dates will be released this week.

“Based on what the County Executive expressed today, the proposed budget seems to address many of the evolving needs of county government,” Legislator Wieder said. “I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner with all of my Legislative colleagues, as well as the County Executive and his staff, as a final plan is decided.”

“After attending meetings with the County Executive, his staff, and Legislative leadership, I look forward to supporting his initiatives and working with my colleagues in the legislature on the 2024 budget,” said Lon Hofstein, Minority Leader of the Rockland County Legislature.

Budget Timeline:

By October 1 – County Executive must submit Proposed Budget to County Legislature.
By November 20 (tentative) – County Legislature must hold a public hearing on the Proposed Budget.
By December 7 (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.
By December 20 – County Legislature must override, or the amended version with any vetoes becomes the budget. It takes a two-thirds vote per veto item to override that veto (Two-thirds is 12 votes).

Government

Daylight Saving Time Ends on Sunday November 3rd

Published

1 day ago

October 29, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

The Rockland County Department of Health wants to remind residents that daylight saving time will end for the year at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 3. This is when we “fall back” and gain an extra hour of sleep. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before you go to sleep on Saturday night.

Besides changing your clocks, this is also a good time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure that they are in good working order, not expired and if battery operated replace the batteries with new.

The Health Department’s Healthy Neighborhoods Program can assist low-income residents, seniors, and at-risk families with replacing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms or changing the batteries, at no charge, as supplies last. For more information, call (845) 364-3290 or visit the Healthy Neighborhoods Program.

Remember, too, that after the time change, it can be darker earlier in the evening, so be extra careful. This can make it harder for both drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists to see and increase the risk of a crash. Also, adjusting to the new schedule can take a few days, and people may be more tired than usual when it’s dark. Visit the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee for more information about drowsy driving.

Government

The Warming Center is Ready for Guests

Published

3 days ago

October 27, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Commissioner of Social Services Joan Silvestri announce the opening of the Rockland County Warming Center, located at the Dr. Robert L. Yeager Health Center in Pomona, for the upcoming winter season. The center, which will be operated by the Department of Social Services (DSS), can provide shelter for up to 75 homeless single adults.

“This Warming Center remains a critical resource in protecting our most vulnerable residents from the harsh conditions of winter,” said County Executive Ed Day. “I am incredibly proud of the collective efforts that make this possible, and I commend our dedicated team for their unwavering commitment to the well-being of those in need.”

Guests at the Warming Center will have access to not only a warm, safe place to rest but also essential services such as showers and laundry facilities. In addition, staff will be on-site to assist individuals with benefits and referrals to other support programs.

Starting in November 2024, the Warming Center will operate during nighttime hours when the wind chill drops below 35°F. Beginning December 1, 2024, the center will be open every night, with daytime operations triggered only if the wind chill again falls below 35°F. This schedule will continue through March, then during the month of April, the center will revert to night-only operations under the same temperature criteria.

Transportation to the Warming Center will be provided from the following locations:

Nyack: 7:00 p.m. at Broadway and Burd Street, in front of the First Reformed Church of Nyack.
Haverstraw: 7:30 p.m. from the Commuter Parking Lot across from Village Hall.
Spring Valley: 5:30 p.m., 6:10 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. at the Spring Valley Bus and Train Station.
Pomona: 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Building L Bus Shelter on the Health Center campus.

For more information, please contact the Rockland County Department of Social Services at (845) 364-2332 or 845-608-6670.

Additionally, the Department of Social Services will continue to operate the long-standing Emergency Family Shelter, providing services for children and families in need.