Purpose of Budget Review
The purpose of our budget review was to determine whether the significant revenue and expenditure projections in the County’s proposed budget for the 2021 fiscal year are reasonable.
Background
The County of Rockland, located in the downstate area and bordered by Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties, was authorized to issue debt not to exceed $96 million to liquidate the accumulated deficit in the County’s general fund as of December 31, 2012. Additionally, Chapter 468 of the Laws of 2013 requires the County to submit to the State Comptroller each year, starting with the fiscal year during which it was authorized to issue obligations and for each subsequent fiscal year during which the deficit obligations are outstanding, its proposed budget for the next succeeding fiscal year.
Key Findings
- The significant revenue and expenditure projections in the proposed budget are reasonable.
- Our review considered County officials’ projections in response to the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (pandemic).
- The County’s proposed budget includes a tax levy of $146,052,165.
Key Recommendation
- Due to the continuous evolving circumstances caused by the pandemic, County officials should carefully monitor revenues and expenditures and make adjustments to the budget as needed throughout the year as more information becomes available.