Amended 2016 County Budget Adopted Bipartisan Effort Leads To 9-8 Approval

LEGISLATIVE PRESS RELEASE

The Rockland County Legislature has voted 9-8 to adopt an amended 2016 County Budget that sets aside funding for deficit reduction and restores key jobs, among other important changes.

“This has been the most challenging budget process I’ve experienced in my time as a County Legislator,” said Legislature Chairman Alden H. Wolfe (D-Montebello). “The 9-8 vote shows how difficult it was to arrive at a consensus.”

Said Legislature Vice Chairman Jay Hood Jr. (D-Haverstraw), “I was glad to work in a bipartisan fashion to build consensus on a budget that furthers our goals as a county, maintains services and helps us avoid possible future deficits.”

Continuing their efforts to cut the deficit, Legislators set aside $1 million for deficit reduction in 2016. They restored appropriations for contract agencies – the nonprofit organizations providing vital services to local residents.

Legislators also restored 32 jobs, including security guards and Medicaid fraud investigators, that were slated to be abolished. They added $100,000 to a contingency account to help cover any unexpected costs at Summit
Park Hospital and Nursing Care Center in case it does not close by Dec. 31.

Legislators also added $500,000 to the pension account in response to the state Comptroller’s Office concern that more needed to be budgeted.

As a result taxes will go up about 10 percent or $100 per year for the average homeowner. The ball is now in County Executive Ed Day’s court, as he has the right to veto the changes writ large or via line item.