A number of important issues were hammered out including an increase to the subsidized childcare program, added capital projects to improve infrastructure and the restoration of some curator positions at the county’s nature preserves.
Board Chairman Michael Kaplowitz (D-Somers), attributed the productive negotiations to bipartisan cooperation which has been his primary objective since becoming board chair almost one year ago.
“While we have quite a bit of work left in this budget process, I am encouraged by our progress at this point," he said. "We’ve been able to reach agreement on some of the more difficult issues in the budget and I am hopeful that by the end of the week, we will have a budget that all or at least most of our members will support.”
“I thank the many department heads, commissioners and county government staff members who have appeared before the Budget and Appropriations Committee in the last two weeks," said Legislator Sheila Marcotte ( R-Eastchester, New Rochelle, Tuckahoe) is chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. "Their input has enabled us to work with the county executive and our colleagues on the Board to reach consensus on some of the more difficult issues in the 2015 budget.”
The board will hold a public hearing on the budget and additions on Wednesday evening, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. in the board's chambers.
The Budget and Appropriations Committee will issue its final report sometime on Friday with the entire board voting on the final budget in a special meeting of the Board of Legislators, which has been called for Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.m.
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