Funding Expanded for Nonprofits, Resident Services

Rockland County legislators voted unanimously Tuesday to slightly amend and approve a 2026 County Budget that holds the line on county property taxes, funds vital programs and services, and increases funding for nonprofits that serve our communities.

The bipartisan-approved amended budget also provides additional funding for veterans’ services and tourism & economic development. There are no workforce layoffs.

“The uncertainty that surrounds federal and state funding for 2026 made it clear that the best course of action was to keep everything as stable as possible,” Rockland County Legislature Budget & Finance Committee Chairman Itamar Yeger said. “I am honored to report that we have managed to do that with the adoption of this spending plan.”

Legislator Yeger led a detailed review of the budget first proposed by the County Executive in October. Both branches agreed from the start that stability was vital as the county moves into the next fiscal year.

The County Legislature and the Executive cut county property taxes in 2025 and in 2024 and held them stable in 2023 and 2022. Significant work on the county’s finances over several years led to a Triple A credit rating from Moody’s – the service’s highest rating – in July.

County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. said, “This budget reflects strong collaboration between the Legislative and Executive branches to best serve the people of Rockland County. When members of different political parties are willing to reach across the aisle and build productive working relationships, real progress becomes possible. This budget continues our commitment to providing the essential services our residents depend on while ensuring we operate as efficiently as possible. I want to thank everyone who contributed to this year’s thorough and detailed process.”

Majority Leader Alden H. Wolfe said, “In this era of tremendous fiscal uncertainty, developing a budget that will continue funding to provide vital services without program cuts or employee layoffs is significant. But we must all remain vigilant because the truth is, we just don’t know what sort of funding cuts may come our way at any moment in 2026. I remain optimistic and am proud of the budget that we have unanimously agreed on.”

Minority Leader Lon M. Hofstein said, “Over the last two months, the members of the Legislature reviewed the budget and met with various department heads. We feel the budget we voted for this evening will continue to provide essential services to the people of Rockland in a fiscally sound manner. In these uncertain times, the people need their elected officials to put differences aside and work in a bipartisan effort for the benefit of all the people.”

The County Executive proposed a $913.8 million County Budget for 2026, an increase of 4.26 percent or $37.3 million over 2025’s budget. The increases are largely due to cost-of-living adjustments to salaries and rising pension and benefit costs, as well as rising costs to provide mandated services, including the Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education programs.

The proposed budget also increased funding for nonprofits and other County programs to expand services for residents in need. The Legislature further increased funding for nonprofit organizations and government agencies that provide services to children, veterans, and the elderly.

The County Legislature included a total of $2.677 million – an increase of 14.3 percent over 2025’s budget, to assist nonprofits. This funding is separate from the $2 million in emergency funding the County Legislature appropriated to local food pantries after SNAP benefits were cut as of Nov. 1.

Funding for the Veterans’ Service Agency was increased by $146,000 to a total of $1.150 million. The agency serves many of the 9,000 veterans living in the county as of the 2020 Census, and includes rent for its New City offices, a new food pantry, the veterans’ burial program and more.

Funding for the Tourism & Economic Development Department was increased by $509,880 to a total of about $3.1 million. The agency promotes tourism to and in Rockland, along with economic development, including an emphasis on additional filming projects and promotion of local Revolutionary War sites as the nation prepares to mark its 250th birthday.

The adopted budget also allows for the continuation of funding for the new Firefighters’ Memorial for all volunteer and paid firefighters from Rockland lost in the line of duty. It is set to be completed in 2026.

The budget also preserves funding for the county-wide Sidewalk Project, with $30 million earmarked for sidewalks along county-designated roadways in all 17 Legislative Districts. It also preserves more than $7 million in funding to continue the county’s affordable housing initiatives. So far, the county has sought requests for proposals regarding the redevelopment of the Sain building site and awarded funding for housing projects that will provide affordable rentals for seniors and families in Haverstraw and Clarkstown. The effort is part of a revolving loan program.

What’s Next: The County Executive has five working days after receiving the amended adopted version to issue any vetoes. He has line-item veto power. The Legislature has until Dec. 20 to override any vetoes. It takes 12 votes per veto item to override a veto.