The County Executive’s Corner: The 2026 Budget

Zero Increase in County Property Taxes for 2026

When I first took office more than a decade ago, Rockland was on the brink of fiscal collapse, facing a staggering $138 million deficit. Today, I am proud to tell you that our finances are the strongest they have ever been in County history.

Through disciplined budgeting, tough decisions, and smart planning, we transformed our fiscal health from worst to first. Rockland now stands as the only county in New York State with Moody’s highest possible Triple-A bond rating. That is an incredible accomplishment, and it means we are recognized nationally as one of the fiscally strongest counties in the state.

Over the years, we’ve taken real steps to deliver savings directly to you. We eliminated the Residential Energy Tax, saving families $12 million annually—the equivalent of an 8.4% property tax cut. We eliminated the Auto Registration Tax. We fully paid off our deficit bond. And we’ve cut property taxes by 4% over the past two years.

This year, while we continue to face rising costs in areas like healthcare, pensions, and state-mandated services, I am committed to protecting our residents from unnecessary burdens. That is why my proposed 2026 budget contains no increase in County property taxes.

At the same time, we are investing wisely in programs that matter:

Supporting Volunteers: Our new Rockland County Firefighter Memorial is nearly complete, honoring those who serve. We are also adding another $1 million to the HERROS program, which provides up to $6,000 in college tuition reimbursement to emergency volunteers. Since its inception, HERROS has reimbursed nearly $400,000 to those who give their time to protect us.

Strengthening Our Workforce: We continue to invest in recruitment and training. Programs like Emerging Leaders help our employees grow into leadership roles, ensuring the County has the talent it needs for the future.

Saving Taxpayer Dollars: Our Purchasing Division has saved $2 million over the past two years by negotiating tough but fair deals with contractors. We continue to bring in millions in grant funding and revenue from filming on County properties.

These achievements would not be possible without the dedicated work of our employees, commissioners, and department heads. To all of you, I extend my deepest gratitude.

When you entrusted me with this office in 2014, I promised to be a respectful steward of your tax dollars. That promise remains at the heart of every decision I make.

I urge our Legislature to stand with me in safeguarding the money of our hardworking residents. Together, we can show the right way government should operate—by keeping spending low, investing wisely, and always putting our residents first.

Rockland’s future is bright, and I remain committed to ensuring that our best days are still ahead.

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