Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino has announced a financial incentive plan for county government employees who plan to resign or retire by the end of July.
Under the plan, employees who resign or retire by July 31 would receive $1,000 for each year they were employed by the county. In a news release, Astorino said the incentive is being offered to offset the need for layoffs with voluntary departures.
Though the county estimated the incentive would cost $700,000 this year, it also estimated the plan could reduce payroll costs by more than $1.6 million in 2016.
“This financial incentive plan provides benefits to both employees and taxpayers,” Astorino said. “Next year’s budget promises to be very difficult. This incentive plan allows us to voluntarily reduce headcount and the cost of compensation, which is the county’s largest budget expense.”
The county offered a similar incentive in 2010, which Astorino called “very successful” in reducing expenses and limiting layoffs.
The incentive is being offered to all county employees except police and correction officers, investigators in the district attorney’s office and elected officials, and there is no age or minimum length of employment to qualify. It is expected most employees who will take the incentive will be those who are pension eligible.
According to the county, the average compensation of current county workers is approximately $130,000 per year, including $80,000 for salary and roughly $50,000 in benefits.
Legislation enabling the incentive will be sent to the Board of Legislators before its June 1 meeting. Employees who wish to take part must notify their respective department heads by June 30.
