Westchester County Executive George Latimer has sent to the Westchester County Board of Legislators the 2020 proposed County Capital Budget. The second proposed budget of the Latimer administration.
The 2020 Capital Budget proposes an additional $309.7 million in new appropriations, including $218.1 million for the general fund, $66.0 million for the sewer and water districts, $6.0 million for the refuse district and $19.7 million for the airport.
Latimer said: “We have had a banner year, getting this County on the right financial path. One of my top priorities has been implementing a robust capital program that ensures existing infrastructure and programs are maintained and built on. The projects in this Capital Budget, improve the quality of life for the County’s residents and promote sustainability. ”
Latimer made affordable housing in the County a top priority in this budget, requesting $20 million in new appropriations: $10 million for the New Homes Land Acquisition Fund and $10 million for the Housing Implementation Fund for the construction of infrastructure necessary to support the development of affordable housing. These are the highest amounts ever requested for these two funds.
Westchester County Senior Programs and Services Commissioner Mae Carpenter said: “Affordable housing is the number one issue facing older people in Westchester County and I am glad to see it taken seriously in 2020 proposed Capital Budget.”
A large portion of the budget also focusses on transportation. After receiving 78 new hybrid-electric drive articulated buses in 2018 and 2019, the 2020 proposal includes $54 million in new appropriations to continue converting the Bee-Line Bus fleet from internal-combustion diesel buses to hybrid-electric drive buses. Combined with re-appropriations from prior years, this funding will replace approximately 100 40-foot buses at a total cost of $86.6 million. Working with our state and federal partners, the County is slated to receive $66 million in State and Federal Aid to be applied toward this acquisition.
Westchester County Commissioner of Public Works and Transportation Hugh Greechan said: “This conversion will save the County on fuel purchases and reduce our carbon footprint. The new articulated buses have reduced fuel consumption by over a half-million gallons annually. “
Westchester County Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability Peter McCartt said: “Concerning climate change, one third of our carbon footprint is transportation, and these County buses help to reduce that as well as help reduce the pollutants in the air we all breathe. With the addition of solar to our two bus terminals we get even closer to our goal of zero carbon.”
Greechan said: “This is part of our continuing effort to rebuild the County’s infrastructure for residents safety and convenience.”
An additional $15 million is requested for the continued replacement of the engines and blowers at the Yonkers Joint Water Resource Recovery Facility. This project, totaling $69 million, will allow the facility to offset 70% of its reliance on utility power.
Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities Commissioner Vincent Kopicki said: “This is an exciting program for the County which will allow the Plant to transition to renewable energy.”
At the Westchester County Airport, $18.7 million in new appropriations are requested for the continuation of the de-icing fluid application, collection, storage, and disposal systems installation. Adding this new funding to the $19 million that is requested to be re-appropriated from 2019 allows the County to complete these upgrades that will ensure that spent de-icing fluid is recaptured and disposed of properly.
Greechan said: “The latest appropriation will ensure the safety of the traveling public while also considering the environment.”
McCartt said: “The continued and essential protection of our shared water resources is a top priority of this administration.”
The Proposed 2020 Capital Budget also funds numerous investments in the County’s Park System, including restoration of the Tarrytown Lighthouse, as well as improvements at Merestead, Tibbetts Brook, Ward Pound Ridge, Hilltop Hanover, and Playland.
Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation Kathy O’Connor said: “Our parks are the ‘gems’ of Westchester County and add to the quality of life for the County residents. The capital investments that are scheduled for the parks in 2020 will continue to provide much needed refurbishing and restoration to facilities that are over 60 years old. They are heavily utilized by the County residents year round.”
The Westchester County Board of Legislators will receive the proposed Capital Budget and the proposed Operating Budget and are charged with passing the County Budget by the end of December 2019.