In the face of the worst economic environment since the Great Depression and despite reduced revenues, a diminishing property tax base and large increases in employer pension and health insurance costs, the 2011 budget calls for a property tax levy increase of less than one percent. The average homeowner in New Rochelle would see an increase to their tax bill of $113 for the year.

Many of the City’s historical major revenue sources, such as sales taxes, mortgage taxes, building permits and State aid, have been negatively impacted by economic conditions, necessitating greater reliance on the local property tax. Additionally, huge increases in employee pension costs set by the State Comptroller, along with lesser increases in health insurance costs, have strained the City’s budget.

“We will continue to aggressively reduce expenditures that we can control, but mandated pension and health cost increases, as well as the havoc caused by the global economy, are areas over which we have no control,” said City Manager Strome.

Copies of the proposed budget are available in the City Clerk’s office, at the New Rochelle Public Library and on the City’s website www.newrochelleny.com/budget.
The City Council will conduct budget review meetings in November and hold a public hearing on December 7th in advance of the adoption of a tax rate in December.