In a preview of his 2021 State of the County speech, Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced that the Department of Budget forecasts a $16 million increase in the county’s general fund balance for the 2021 fiscal year.  The increase will bring the unrestricted fund balance to more than $200 million at the end of 2021—the largest in the county’s history.

“We had to make hard financial decisions and we faced difficult financial times, but we made smart choices with federal dollars that not only saved the County money, but also provided essential services for the public when they needed it the most,” Latimer said. “We supported efforts to combat food insecurity, supported small businesses and remote learning centers for children.  And, we did this all, while cutting County property taxes two years in a row.”

Prior to the 2021 budget, 2020 also closed with no layoffs, no furloughs, no service  cuts and no borrowing for pension costs.  “This represents a significant favorable change from the budget as adopted in December 2020,” said county Budget Director Lawrence Soule.

The announcement is part of the county’s first quarter financial report providing an annualized forecast for the 12 months ending
Dec. 31, 2021. (Submitted)