Rob Astorino Reviews Taxes and Affordable Housing in Scarsdale

County Executive Rob Astorino paid a visit to Scarsdale on Wednesday night 9-19 for a Town Hall meeting at Village Hall. Though he looked fresh, bright and upbeat the issues he brought to the fore were anything but new. Since assuming office in 2010, he has been plagued with many of the same challenges that face municipalities and counties around the country – but more so, as Westchester County has the distinction of having the highest county taxes in the nation.

Astorino came into office pledging to reduce the size of county government that had become bloated under former County Executive Andy Spano’s 12-year reign. In fact, County taxes rose 17% from 2005 to 2010 and Astorino won the election on the promise that he would take on county unions, require workers to contribute to their benefits and reduce headcount if needed. It hasn’t been easy. He told the group that on average, county workers earn more than their piers in the private and public sectors in Westchester, and on top of their average salary of $73,789 the county pays another 54% for fringe benefits. During his tenure he has challenged the unions to accept concessions and recently signed agreements with the teamsters and correctional officer’s unions that will require current workers to contribute 15% of their healthcare costs and new employees to contribute 20%.

Even more frustrating are state mandated costs which account for 82% of the county tax levy or 48% of the total county budget of $1.69 billion, leaving the county to act as a cash register for the state and fund programs over which they have no control.

Here are the state mandated payments for 2012:

• $216M for Medicaid
• $79.9M for Pensions
• $44.5M for Preschools
• $43.3M for Public Assistance
• $17M for Indigent Defense
• $16.25M for Child Welfare
• $15.5M for Probation
• $13.5 M for Early Intervention
• $2.6M for Youth Detention
• $814M in Total

The county’s $79.9M pension payment is expected to continue to grow to $91M in 2013 and $105M in 2014. Astorino pointed out that though Governor Cuomo had championed a tax cap of 2% for local governments, the state has ignored that cap and passed through state mandated increases far in excess of 2%.

Last he discussed the Affordable Housing Settlement that requires Westchester County to spend $51.6M to build 750 units of affordable housing. According to Astorino, the settlement has received much national attention as HUD is seeking to make the settlement a test case. Though HUD contends that Westchester communities have exclusionary zoning practices, several studies of the 813 zoning districts in the county found no evidence of exclusionary practices. Astorino also pointed out that between 2000 and 2010 the county’s Hispanic and Afro-American population grew by 56% making Westchester County the fourth most diverse county in the state.

Mayor Flisser Introduced Astorino

Despite this progress, he is currently embroiled in a dispute HUD on complying with additional terms that were not spelled out in the original settlement document that they are now seeking to enforce. According to the Astorino, HUD has asked him to demand that local municipalities change their local zoning codes and eliminate height, density and acreage requirements to allow for multiple family affordable units in residential areas now designated for single family housing.

In addition, HUD is also barring developers of the affordable units from discriminating against those who will pay their rent with Section 8 housing vouchers.

Speaking about these two recent points of contention, Astorino said, “We will do what’s in that contract – but not, what’s not in the contract!”

Following his prepared remarks, Astorino answered questions from the audience on a variety of topics including the safety of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, the future of Rye Playland and the possibility of opening Sprain Lake to boaters. He remained cool despite a combative audience member who attempted to show that he was misinformed on the dangers of the power plant.

He invited the audience to keep informed about Westchester County issues at westchestergov.com and to email him with concerns at ce@westchestergov.com.