Board Hosts First Input Session on 2026 County Budget

The Westchester County Board of Legislators held the first of three opportunities for residents to participate in the 2026 County Budget process Thursday night. More than 50 people took to the microphone in the auditorium of the Peekskill City School District Ford Administration Building to share input about their priorities as legislators review the operating budget proposed by County Executive Ken Jenkins on December 7, 2025. Community speakers advocated for a range of concerns including subsidized childcare, arts funding, and environmental protection.

Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson, Chair of the Board’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, who convened the session, said, “The Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Board place high importance on community engagement and recognize it as pivotal for a well-functioning democracy. I look forward to and encourage participation in these input sessions, as they can lead to more equitable, sustainable public decisions that have the potential to improve the livability of our local communities.”

Board Chairman Vedat Gashi, Majority Leader David T. Imamura, Majority Whip Terry Clements, and Legislators Erika L. Pierce and Colin D. Smith listened intently to all the speakers during the session.

The Board will vote on the final budget on December 8, 2025.

The meeting replay will be posted HERE when available.

Upcoming public forums about the 2026 County Budget include:

Public Input Session
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
Daronco Town House, 20 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, NY 10803

Public Budget Hearing
Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 7 p.m.
Board Chamber, 148 Martine Avenue, 8th Floor, White Plains

For more information, including how to participate in upcoming sessions, visit our budget dashboard HERE.