Westchester County Legislature Committees Joint Meeting on Tax Exemptions and Capital Projects - July 27, 2026

A joint meeting of the Westchester County Board of Legislators' committees on Legislation, Public Safety & Veterans, Budget & Appropriations, and others was held on July 27, 2026, at 10:25 AM in the Committee Room of the Michaelian Office Building. The meeting was chaired by Legislator Colin Smith (Legislation), with additional committee chairs including Legislator Margaret Cunzio (Public Safety & Veterans) and others. Key agenda items included four property tax exemption local laws for first responders, military, and veterans, as well as numerous capital project requests and inter-municipal agreements. Legislators present for votes included Smith, Barr, Cunzio, Imamura, Puja, and Gashi; Clements, Nolan, and Ulaj were absent.

Discussion Items

Real Property Tax Exemptions for First Responders, Military, and Veterans

• Surviving Spouses of Police Officers Killed in the Line of Duty (Items 312/313): Assistant Chief Deputy County Attorney Justin Adin presented an opt-in local law granting a 50% real property tax exemption to surviving spouses of police officers who died in the line of duty. Legislators questioned the definition of 'police officer' under state law and requested documentation. The item was approved unanimously.
• Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Services Members (Items 314/315): This local law amends an existing exemption, increasing it from 10% to 50% for surviving spouses. Legislator Barr noted that volunteer firefighters/EMS must have been vested for at least five years. Approved unanimously.
• Real Property Tax Exemption for Active Duty Members of the Armed Forces Serving in a Combat Zone (Items 323/324): This new exemption provides up to 25% of assessed value (capped at $20,000) for primary residences, applicable for the year following service in a designated combat zone. Legislators discussed the difficulty in estimating eligible individuals, low expected participation due to limited military presence in Westchester, and the annual reapplication requirement. Approved unanimously.
• Real Property Tax Exemption for Seriously Disabled Veterans in the Line of Duty (Items 325/326): This exemption makes the property fully exempt for veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled by the VA. Deputy Budget Director Christina Rampata provided data: Westchester has an estimated 22,000 veterans, 13,000-14,000 veteran homeowners, and 1,200-1,500 with service-connected permanent disabilities—representing 0.4% of all taxable parcels. The exemption previously required home adaptations, but the new law removes that requirement. Approved unanimously.
• General Discussion: Throughout the exemptions, Legislator Barr raised concerns about the cumulative burden on other taxpayers due to levy redistribution. Attorney Adin clarified there is no direct county fiscal impact; exemptions shift the tax burden within municipalities. Legislators sought information on other available opt-in exemptions not yet adopted by the county.

Capital Projects and Other Business

• Ice Casino Phase II Improvements (Items 346/347): Acting Commissioner Peter Tartaglia presented a request for a $4 million capital budget amendment for complete renovation of the ice casino building. Reasons included extensive code review, redesign due to EPA refrigerant changes, and cost escalation. The project has already been bid and the low bidder is holding the price. Legislator Pierce requested a breakdown of cost drivers; it was provided that MEP trades saw significant increases (e.g., plumbing 206% above estimate). The committee approved the amendment.
• Lab Research Facility Rehabilitation (Item 339): Keith Hoffman (Public Works) requested $3.2 million to achieve 60% design for a new laboratory building on the Grasslands campus. The total project cost is estimated at $318 million after value engineering, down from an initial schematic estimate of $370 million. Legislator Nambiar questioned the $43 million increase over the feasibility study; it was explained that the study only covered construction costs, not total project costs (including design, moving, equipment). The committee approved.
• County Clerk Legal Division Information Technology Upgrade (Item 344): County Clerk John Allen requested $1.3 million for a capital project to replace the cashiering system (in use since 2009) and rewrite legal division applications. A separate $37,000 for an AI phone system was also included. The cashiering system replacement is expected to cost under $330,000. The committee approved.
• Countywide Building Management System Upgrade (Item 330): Director Robert Admon requested $2.525 million for design to replace the outdated Andover system across 28 county facilities with a modern, secure system. The upgrade will improve compatibility with newer controls and address security vulnerabilities. Approved.
• Bus Radio Data System (Item 343): The Chief Information Officer requested $2.065 million in additional funding to complete the radio system project, covering CCTV installation, farebox integration, and router replacements. The project is expected to finish by Q1 2027. Approved.
• South Yonkers Trunk Sewer System Inspection (Item 340): DEF Commissioner Vincent Popicky requested $1 million for cleaning and inspection of 3,300 linear feet of 60-inch pipe (portions from 1930 and 1995). No major repairs anticipated. Approved.
• Building Access Control and Video Surveillance Upgrade (Items 341/342): Lennox Harris requested continued funding for expansion of security systems at county facilities, including new sites for the World Cup event. Approved.
• Jail Fire Alarm System Replacement (Item 31?): Representatives from the jail requested funds to install a new Vesda pneumatic fire alarm system after a successful pilot in one pod. The current system (1993) has obsolete parts. Fire watch will be maintained during construction. Approved.
• Inter-Municipal Agreements with Peekskill and White Plains (Items 337/338): Renewals for inmate transport services. Approved.
• Jail Infrastructure Improvements (Item 329): $500,000 requested to replace failing grinder pumps that handle waste, a weekly maintenance issue. Approved.
• Westchester Community College Budget (Item 345): The proposed 2026-2027 budget was presented. Legislator Nambiar flagged a 20% tuition increase over three years, though WCC remains the cheapest community college in the state. County contribution remains $6.2 million. Approved.
• IMA for Mount Vernon Summer Basketball Program (Item 319): Legislators expressed strong support for the program serving 90 children ages 6-16. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• All four property tax exemption local laws and their corresponding public hearing resolutions were approved by the committees on Legislation, Public Safety & Veterans, and Budget & Appropriations, and referred to the full Board of Legislators.
• All capital project requests (ice casino, lab research facility, county clerk IT, building management system, bus radio data system, sewer inspection, access control, jail fire alarm, and jail infrastructure) were approved by the respective committees.
• Inter-municipal agreements and the Westchester Community College budget were approved.
• Receive and file items were accepted, including an accessory dwelling unit property tax abatement proposal (item 206) and a small business/MWBE microgrant pilot program (item 207).
• Minutes from July 13, 2026, and other dates were approved.
• The meeting adjourned at various times; the last committee adjourned at 12:40 PM.