Connect with us

Government

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

Published

2 years ago

on

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).

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Government

Creating a More Inclusive Rockland – One Business at a Time By Rockland County Executive Ed Day

Published

4 days ago

on

May 31, 2025

By

To our business leaders, healthcare providers, first responders, and community organizations that make Rockland County the vibrant place it is, I want to bring your attention to a new and FREE training that will create a more inclusive Rockland one business at a time.

Here in the United States, 1 in 36 children is diagnosed with Autism. And yet, many of our public spaces, businesses, and institutions remain unfamiliar with how to support them.
That needs to change—and here in Rockland, we’re leading that change.

It was with that in mind that in April, during Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month, my administration’s Department of Mental Health launched a new All-Abilities Training Program, created in partnership with the Anderson Center for Autism.
This training is available at no cost and is designed to educate the workforce, including our local businesses, healthcare providers, first responders, and community organizations. It’s a powerful tool to help you better serve all members of our community, especially those with Autism and intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD).

This initiative is more than just training—it’s a commitment to understanding, acceptance, and accessibility for individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities.

When we launched the Rockland Thinks Differently initiative in 2024, we committed ourselves to promoting inclusion at every level of our community. This training is a direct extension of that promise. It will help your team create more welcoming environments for all.

But this isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s also smart business.

Many individuals with Autism are loyal, capable, and hardworking.

The training includes insight into how to make your workplace more accessible for potential employees with Autism and the many benefits of hiring from this often-overlooked talent pool.

I urge every business and organization in Rockland to take advantage of this fantastic and free opportunity. Doing so will show the community that your organization not only accepts differences but embraces and celebrates them. Let’s work together and continue creating a Rockland that truly thinks differently.

To sign up for the training or learn more, please contact the Anderson Center at 845-889-9616 or ACCT@AndersonCares.org.

* This is a weekly column by Rockland County Executive Ed Day.

Continue Reading

Government

Senator Bill Weber Honors the Late Clarkstown Councilman Mark Woods Jr. with Induction into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame

Published

5 days ago

on

May 30, 2025

By

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY – This week, State Senator Bill Weber posthumously inducted Town of Clarkstown Councilman Mark Woods Jr. into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at the State Capitol.

Mark’s beloved wife, Jeanne, his daughter, Maggie, his son, Ray, and his mother, Marie, joined the ceremony to accept the award on Mark’s behalf.

A Brooklyn native, Woods was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry after attending The Citadel. He served in Berlin at the end of the Cold War and deployed to Bosnia for peacekeeping operations. His civilian career included service as a corrections officer, border agent, and NYPD officer, where he was part of the Vice Squad and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. He returned to active duty in Iraq post-9/11 before continuing his public service stateside.

Woods later became Deputy Director of the Rockland County Veterans Service Agency and then Director of the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Program at BRIDGES, where he supported fellow veterans through mental health and crisis recovery work. His advocacy and compassion touched countless lives.

“Mark Woods Jr. exemplified the spirit of selfless service,” said Senator Weber. “His dedication to his country, his community, and especially to his fellow veterans, was unparalleled. This induction ensures that his legacy of compassion, leadership, and service will be remembered and honored for generations to come.”

“I can think of no one more deserving at this moment. Mark Woods is the purest example of a serviceman dedicated to his country and his community. He was humble, passionate and undeniably committed to seeing our community be better. I can’t think of a better way to pay tribute to a selfless man like Mark Woods and his enduring legacy than his induction to the NYS Veterans Hall of Fame.” said Carlos Martinez, LMSW, CEO and Executive Director of BRIDGES

Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, a good friend of Mark Woods added, “I am proud to help honor the life and legacy of Mark Woods. From his service in the U.S. Army to the streets of NYC as an NYPD officer, to his compassionate work with our veterans and as Town Councilman, his unwavering commitment to helping others will always be an inspiration. Clarkstown and New York State will never forget his lifetime of service.”

The New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame honors the courage, sacrifice, and service of veterans who enrich their communities long after leaving active duty. Mark Woods Jr. stands among the finest examples of that enduring legacy.

Continue Reading

Trending