Budget & Appropriations Committee Meeting – June 8, 2026

The Budget & Appropriations Committee of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, chaired by Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, convened on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 10:15 AM in the Michaelian Office Building. The meeting also included joint sessions with the Infrastructure & Housing, Seniors & Youth, Public Safety & Veterans, and Litigation committees. The committee considered several bond acts, acts, and a first quarter fiscal update, all of which were approved unanimously and referred to the full Board of Legislators. The meeting adjourned at 12:02 PM.

Discussion Items

Bond Act RB250 – Various County Roads Rehabilitation Program (2026)
Deputy Commissioner Hernane DeAlmeida and Director Robert Abbamont presented a bond act for $11,805,000 to finance design, construction management, and construction for four road sections: Theodore Friend Avenue (County Road 54, 0.8 miles, PCI 73, average daily traffic 8,832 vehicles), Anderson Hill Road (County Road 18, 2.4 miles, PCI 63, 6,248 vehicles), Aqueduct Road (County Road 124, 1.17 miles, PCI 51, 13,698 vehicles), and Long Ridge Road (County Road 3, 1.2 miles, PCI 71, 6,653 vehicles). Work includes milling, resurfacing, drainage repairs, and pavement markings. Design will take about nine months, construction another nine months. Legislators discussed coordination with utility companies (Con Edison) and New York State DOT, which is spending $146 million on paving in Westchester County this year and next. The item was signed by committee and referred to the Board.

Act 266 – Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program
Youth Bureau Executive Director Ernest McFadden presented a seven-year grant program funded by New York State Office of Children and Family Services, with no cost to the county. The program serves 105–110 youth aged 11–18 across seven municipalities, with a 60% female, 40% male ratio. It includes a classroom component (90% completion rate) and an employment component. Legislator Alvarado expressed full support, noting the program prepares youth for employment. Legislator Nambiar inquired about expanding to other areas like Rye Neck; the director noted that other organizations can apply via the annual RFP. The item was approved unanimously.

Bond Act BDA03 – Information Technology 2025–2029
Chief Administrator Charles Forzano and Manager of Network Operations Jason Carrow presented a $1,235,000 bond for the second year of a five-year IT plan, covering laptop/desktop replacement, data storage, and data center equipment. The District Attorney’s office had not purchased laptops since COVID. There are no recurring licensing costs. The item was approved unanimously.

Act 272 – Regional Partnership Agreement with Putnam County
Commissioner Susan Spear and Deputy Chief Chris Johnson presented a partnership to accept $100,000 in state funding (federal pass-through) for technical rescue and urban search and rescue equipment. Westchester received the maximum amount and the largest grant in the state. The funding will purchase rescue rope, harnesses, PPE, battery-powered tools, and structural monitoring equipment. Legislator Smith raised concerns about fire safety education; Commissioner Spear noted ongoing discussions about public messaging, especially for seniors and teenagers. The item was approved unanimously.

Bond Act BLR2F – Labs & Research Equipment Acquisition (2026–2030)
Chief Administrator Keith Hoffman presented a $550,000 bond for 13 pieces of lab equipment, mostly replacements for end-of-life items (some 15–21 years old). Equipment includes a BOD analyzer, microwave digestion system, incubators, a DNA real-time PCR system, and forensic trace evidence analyzers. All items are critical for public health, environmental monitoring, and forensic investigations. Legislator Barr suggested checking the 'life safety' and 'energy efficiency' boxes on future project sheets. The item was approved unanimously.

Act 263 – Sheppard Mullin Retainer for NGM Insurance Co. Surety Dispute
Senior Assistant County Attorney Mark Gardner and Ira Schulman, Esq. of Sheppard Mullin presented a retainer for legal services related to a surety dispute with NGM Insurance (acquired by Nationwide in March 2026) over a performance bond for a terminated contractor (MBM). Schulman noted progress in negotiations and expected resolution within 30–45 days. Legislator Barr asked about potential debarment of the surety. The item was approved unanimously by both Budget & Appropriations and Litigation committees.

First Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Update (Receive & File)
Budget Director Lawrence Soule and Christina Rampata presented the first quarter update. Highlights: sales tax held flat to budget; healthcare benefits projected to exceed budget by $13–14 million (net of $4.4 million in prescription drug rebates); daycare subsidies face a deficit due to a freeze that began later than assumed; bus operating assistance is down due to 40% fare evasion and lower OmniCard sales; state transportation operating aid increased by 7.4% (about $5 million above budget); vacancy savings of $1.7 million are projected; fund balance is estimated at $536 million (about 21% of operating expenditures). Legislators discussed fare evasion enforcement, health insurance cost drivers (including AI use by insurers), and the potential for technology-based fare collection. The report was received and filed.

Key Outcomes

• All bond acts (RB250, BDA03, BLR2F) and acts (266, 272, 263) were signed by committee and referred to the Board of Legislators with unanimous votes.
• The First Quarter Update (Item 269) was approved for receive and file.
• Minutes from May 18 and May 26, 2026 were approved.
• The committee adjourned at 12:02 PM.