Rockland County Executive Ed Day on Oct. 1 submitted his proposed 2027 budget to the county’s legislature so they can review it, hold a public hearing, and make any changes, which Day can then veto if he wishes and the legislators can try to override. The budget calls for spending $964.8 million compared with the $913.8 million budget for 2026. Day pointed out that the county has “Triple A” bond ratings from the rating agencies Fitch and Moody’s.
“This will be the sixth consecutive year that I am proposing we do not raise county property taxes. In fact, in that time we have cut them by 4%,” Day said. “This is our way of still giving money back to the people, while continuing to act with caution and responsibility.”
In his budget message, Day slammed New York state for requiring counties to make up for the federal government’s cuts in what it contributes toward the cost of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
“Under New York state law, counties must pay the full non-federal share,” Day said. “Neither the New York State Legislature nor the governor have expressed any interest in changing that law. Unless Albany takes responsibility for these new unfunded mandates Rockland faces a nearly $7 million negative impact in 2027 and more than $20 million in 2028. We have budgeted for these costs in 2027 but they severely constrain our operating ability and will push many counties around New York closer to the edge of a fiscal cliff as stated by New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.”
Day said that the new budget manages to support nonprofits while also allocating $7 million to help towns and villages with their infrastructure projects and other key community programs.
He pointed out that the budget continues to support the HERROS program, which provides up to $6,000 in college tuition reimbursement to emergency volunteers. Since inception, HERROS has reimbursed more than $900,000 to volunteer emergency responders.
Day said that the budget allows the county to work on enhancing trails and recreation across its parks and open space purchases. He said that the county’s Law Department is automating workflows and the Purchasing Department is modernizing procurement systems while Information Technology Services is investing in stronger cybersecurity, modern systems, and reliable networks.
Day said that the 2027 budget he proposed “maintains essential services, supports our workforce, and invests in the infrastructure and programs that residents rely on each and every day. We remain committed to being fiscally responsible and are not wasting your taxpayer dollars.”
