Westchester County Board of Legislators Passes 2026 County Budget
The Westchester County Board of Legislators voted by overwhelming majority to pass the 2026 Westchester County Budget. The approved budget reduced the County Executive’s proposed property tax increase from 5.27% to 3.7%. For the average homeowner, this equates to roughly $3 more a month while remaining tax cap compliant.
The $2.5 billion spending plan provides critical social services for Westchester residents including childcare assistance, enhanced health programs, support for domestic violence survivors, and resources to address food insecurity.
Westchester’s 2026 budget reduces nearly all County department budgets by 8% and eliminates 180 positions, reducing our workforce by almost 5%.
Chairman Vedat Gashi (D—New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) said, “This balanced budget would not be possible without the input of residents from every corner of the County. We are operating in a moment of unprecedented instability created by the Trump Administration. The Board has done everything possible to protect essential services, provide for our most vulnerable neighbors, and keep Westchester on stable financial footing. I am deeply thankful to everyone who made their voices heard throughout this budget process.”
Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson (D—Elmsford, Greenburgh, Tarrytown, White Plains) said, “Today, we approved the 2026 Operating, Special Districts, and Capital Budgets, concluding one of the most difficult budget seasons we’ve faced, driven by federal decisions that slowed the economy and sharply reduced our sales tax revenues. Even as every department absorbed cuts, hiring was frozen, and our nonprofit partners were initially facing reductions of about 70%, we worked to restore support—bringing that cut closer to 40%—and added critical funding for child care and maternal health, because families cannot wait for better times. The final budget includes a 3.7% increase in the County property tax levy, which equates to about $3 more per month on the County portion of the bill for a home assessed at $500K, and we fought to keep that impact as modest as possible while preserving essential services. As Budget & Appropriations Chair I am deeply grateful to my colleagues, our County Executive, our County staff and workforce, our nonprofit partners, and every resident who participated in this process, and I remain committed to keeping Westchester families at the heart of every decision we make.”
Majority Leader David T. Imamura (D—Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Edgemont, Hartsdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington) said, “I am happy to support a budget that prioritizes the working people of Westchester. This budget keeps tax increases to a minimum while delivering essential services. At a time when the federal government uses human suffering as a weapon, we have been able to mitigate at least some of the harm imposed by this administration on Westchester residents.”
The budget will be delivered to County Executive Ken Jenkins for his signature.