Includes the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake River project to prevent flooding and paving of the Bronx River Parkway
White Plains
Westchester County Executive George Latimer has submitted his 2023 capital budget to the Westchester Board of Freeholders for review and consideration. The budget, which is Latimer’s fifth, includes investments in affordable housing, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, recreational facilities such as Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center, Playland and Memorial Field, flood mitigation projects including the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake project River, numerous sewer and water projects, and the paving of the Bronx River Parkway.
“This Capital Budget continues the strategic investment in our county’s infrastructure. The overall goal of this investment is to keep our assets in good shape while supporting thousands of jobs within the county. Many of the projects focus on the environment and sustainability, including investing in electric vehicle infrastructure, purchasing hybrid and electric buses, financing flood mitigation, and incorporating energy efficiency goals. I promised the people of this county years ago that I would invest in our infrastructure, take care of our people, help the environment, raise the county’s bond rating, and responsibly cut taxes – we’ve done all this and more.” Latimer said.
Conservation and flood mitigation
Environmental conservation and flood mitigation efforts continue with an additional $95 million in appropriations to purchase hybrid buses for the Bee-Line bus system, $18 million for electric vehicle charging infrastructure at county municipal locations, including $5 million for a county municipal fund for electric charging stations, and $12 million for flood mitigation.
County park system
A combined $28 million has been allocated for structural improvements to the Ice Casino and Playland amusement park. Additionally, $7 million has been allocated for Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center, and $3.3 million for improvements to Cranberry Lake Preserve.
Environmental facilities
Added $25.5 million to continue improvements to the Mamaroneck Wastewater Recovery Facility in 2023. Twenty million is included for the New Rochelle Water Resources Recovery Facility. For Yonkers, $46.1 million is included for improvements to the Yonkers Joint Water Resources Recovery Facility.
Affordable housing
Affordable housing is a priority for the Latimer administration, with a combined $40 million included for land acquisition ($25 million) and infrastructure improvements ($15 million) to support affordable housing development within Westchester. Included is $50 million for the Affordable Housing Investment Fund to be financed with ARPA funds, and plans are to use these funds for further workforce housing development.
If approved by the Board, this would represent the largest single-year commitment to affordable housing in county history.
The Westchester Board of Freeholders will receive the Proposed Capital Budget and Proposed Operating Budget, and is responsible for approving the County Budget by the end of December 2022.
[tabs type=”horizontal”][tabs_head][tab_title]Proposal Amounts[/tab_title][/tabs_head][tab]
The proposed budget proposal requests $662.5 million in new appropriations based on all funds for 2023. This appropriations request breaks down as follows:
- $448.8 million for County general purposes;
- $200 million for the Garbage, Sewer and Water districts;
- $13.7 million for the Westchester County Airport
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Posted on October 13, 2022
