Westchester County Board of Legislators Joint Committee Meeting - June 8, 2026
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Westchester County Board of Legislators Joint Committee Meeting – June 8, 2026
The Public Safety & Veterans, Budget & Appropriations, Infrastructure & Housing, and Seniors & Youth Committees met jointly on June 8, 2026, at the Michaelian Office Building in White Plains, beginning at 10:11 AM (formal opening at 10:48 AM) and adjourning at 12:02 PM. The meeting addressed several bond acts, partnership agreements, a litigation engagement, and a first-quarter budget report. All items were approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes from previous committee meetings were approved.
Discussion Items
Litigation Engagement (Item 2026-263)
The county attorney's office requested authorization to engage Shepard Mullin LLP, specifically attorney Irish Shulman, to address a dispute with a surety (NGM) over a performance bond related to a contractor's bankruptcy. Legislators expressed full support for Shulman's past work and noted the 70% discount on rates. Report back expected in 30–45 days. Approved by Budget & Appropriations and Litigation committees.
Road Rehabilitation Bond Act (Item 2026-264)
A bond act of $11,805,000 for design and construction of four county roads: Theodore Friend Avenue (0.8 miles, PCI 73), Anderson Hill Road (2.4 miles, PCI 63), Aqueduct Road (1.17 miles, PCI 51), and Long Ridge Road (1.2 miles, PCI 71). Work includes milling, resurfacing, drainage repairs, and markings. Discussion included coordination with Con Edison and MTA. Approved unanimously by Budget & Appropriations and Infrastructure & Housing.
Youth Healthy Relationships Program (Item 2026-266)
Authorization to accept a state grant for the seventh year of a youth program focusing on healthy relationships and employment skills. Program serves 105–110 youth annually across seven local youth bureaus, with a 90% classroom completion rate; no county cost. Legislators praised the program and discussed expanding outreach to underserved areas. Approved by Budget & Appropriations and Seniors & Youth.
Information Technology Bond Act (Item 2026-271)
A bond act of $1,235,000 for the second year of a five-year IT capital plan for the District Attorney's office, covering laptop/desktop replacements, data storage, and data center equipment. No recurring maintenance costs. Laptops had not been purchased since COVID. Approved unanimously by Public Safety & Veterans and Budget & Appropriations.
Regional Partnership with Putnam County (Item 2026-272)
Authorization to enter a regional partnership agreement with Putnam County to receive $100,000 in state funding from the NYS Division of Homeland Security (FY 2023 Technical Rescue/Urban Search and Rescue Assets Grant). Westchester received the maximum award and the largest grant in the state. Funds will purchase rescue rope, PPE, battery-powered tools, and monitoring equipment. Partnership enhances interoperability and mutual aid. Approved unanimously by Public Safety & Veterans and Budget & Appropriations.
Laboratory Equipment Bond Act (Item 2026-273)
A bond act of $550,000 to replace 13 pieces of laboratory equipment (e.g., BOD analyzer, microwave digestion system, PCR system, trace analysis unit), many over 15 years old and at end of life. Equipment is critical for public health testing, environmental monitoring, forensic investigations, and medical examiner operations. Legislators discussed life safety and energy efficiency benefits. Approved by Budget & Appropriations.
First Quarter Budget Report
Budget Director Larry Snow presented the first quarter fiscal report for 2026. Highlights: sales tax revenue held flat to budget ($0 variance); healthcare costs increased by $9.3 million net (with prescription rebate savings); OCFS child care funding uncertainty projected at $12–14 million; bus fare evasion still around 40%, costing approximately $1 million per month; new state transportation operating assistance increased by $4.9 million; vacancy savings of $1.7 million projected; fund balance projected at $536 million (about 21% of operating expenditures). Discussion included fare enforcement strategies, healthcare cost drivers, and the county's bond rating. The report was received and filed.
Key Outcomes
- All bond acts and agreements (Items 2026-263, 264, 266, 271, 272, 273) were approved with unanimous votes.
- The first quarter budget report was received and filed.
- Committees adjourned at 12:02 PM.
Meeting Transcript
This meeting is being recorded and summarized. Good morning, everyone. I am Legislator Woodson Samuels, Chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. And today is Monday, June eighth. We are starting at ten eleven AM. I will facilitate a roll fold vote. I am present. Majority Leader Holstein. Present. Legislator Pierce. Present. Committee Vice Chair Chubiolo. Present. Majority with Williams. Here. Legislator Williams Johnson. And Chairman Goshi. All right. Again, as a foremention, we are open at ten eleven AM. Committee. Um morning again. Um to open infrastructure and housing. You ready? This meeting is being recorded and summarized. So yeah, so I'm going to go back to the house. All right, guys, we're starting from the top again. Good morning again. Ten fourteen AM. Uh ten fifteen now. I am uh chair of budget appropriations, Legislator Woodson Samuels. I'll start us off by facilitating a roll poll vote. Again, I'm present. Majority Leader Holstein. Legislator Navy. Legislator Pierce. Present. Committee Vice Chair Chubiolo. Majority Williams. Yeah. Legislator Williams Johnson. Chairman Gotcha. All right. We are opened at ten fifteen AM officially. And build uh through the same for infrastructure and housing committee. I'm here. Vice Chair Pierce. Present. Majority Leader Holstein. Thank you. Legislator Navy are here.
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