Vetoed

This week I vetoed several Legislative Budget Amendments to the 2021 Proposed County Budget. The good news is that no matter what happens next the average Rockland taxpayer will see an increase of ONLY $1 per month – down 66% from $3 per month. This decrease is largely thanks to the lower than estimated increase in New York State’s Empire Plan health insurance rates which we were notified of on December 1st.

The pandemic has caused financial strain for so many through job loss or a new need to take care of children who are out of school. I am proud that we were able to pass on the unexpected savings of this change directly to taxpayers.

Now there were several troubling changes made which I have vetoed including:

• • The addition of two contract agencies and the amendment to their funding source.
  • The additional funding of $68,730 for the position Special Assistant to Water Management Task Force and its funding source.
  • The amendments pertaining to the establishment of new positions as well as the reallocation of several positions, in the County Legislature.

The addition of these two contract agencies without any plan for oversight or accountability is problematic. Over the past several years, my administration has migrated nearly all contract agencies or otherwise entered into agreements with agencies within County Departments for these purposes.

The purpose of funding outside agencies is not to play favorites or guarantee funding for particular agencies but rather for departments to have the flexibility to work with those agencies which can enhance their pragmatic mission and deliver the best service possible to the people at the best price for the taxpayer dollar. We keep this in mind with every action we take, safeguarding YOUR tax dollars and ensuring they are spent appropriately.

The amendment funding the Special Assistant to Water Management Task Force position would have reduced the Department of Health’s Relief Account. Reducing this account is reckless as this department is on the front line combatting the COVID-19 Pandemic, and especially with vaccinations coming out.

Also, there were no conversations by the Legislature with the Commissioner of Health as to the impact this would have on the delivery of vital and needed services. In fact, the assessment from the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert was that ‘this would be devastating to the Department of Health.

The amendments which made changes to County Legislative positions were vetoed because County Attorney Thomas E. Humbach, after a thorough legal analysis stated, “the proposed compensation plan changes are both unlawful, inequitable, arbitrary and capricious. If the proposed budget amendments are adopted, the Legislature is liable and exposes themselves as well as the County to adverse claims and litigation.”

We cannot open ourselves up to any type of illegality. My administration has fought since the day I took office to restore confidence in the actions of this County. We cannot and must not stop in our adherence to this simple principle, equal treatment for all; special preference for none. The Legislature can override any of my vetoes with a two-thirds majority vote (12 votes) and has until December 20, 2020, to do so. If the Legislature takes no action, the Budget is deemed adopted.

But as I began this update, I will remind you again. This budget is a win for taxpayers; it avoids layoffs, drastic service cuts and major tax increases despite facing the COVID-19 pandemic.