[read complete report – pdf]

Purpose of Budget Review

The purpose of our budget review was to determine whether the significant revenue and expenditure projections in the County of Rockland’s (County) proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year are reasonable.

Background

The County, 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 requires the County to submit to the State Comptroller, during the “effective period” of Chapter 468, its proposed budget for the next succeeding fiscal year. 

Key Findings

• Based on the results of our review, we found that the significant revenue and expenditure projections in the 2024 proposed budget are reasonable.
• The County’s proposed budget includes a tax levy of $141,791,700.

Key Recommendations

• In adopting the 2024 budget, the Legislature should be mindful of the legal requirement to maintain the tax levy increase to no more than the tax levy limit as permitted by law, unless it properly overrides the tax levy limit.