Westchester County Board of Legislators Seniors & Youth & Budget & Appropriations Joint Meeting - July 27, 2026

The joint meeting of the Seniors & Youth and Budget & Appropriations committees was called to order at 10:27 AM on July 27, 2026, in the Committee Room at the Michaelian Office Building, White Plains, NY. Legislator Margaret Cunzio chaired the session in place of Chair José Alvarado. The meeting covered a wide range of items, including multiple property tax exemptions, an inter-municipal agreement for a summer basketball program, budgets for Westchester Community College, capital projects for the Ice Casino, a laboratory research facility, and various infrastructure upgrades. All votes were unanimous among those present, with some legislators absent.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the July 13, 2026, meeting were approved on a motion by Legislator Gashi, seconded by Legislator Puja, with all present voting in favor.

Discussion Items

• Items 323 & 324 – Property Tax Exemption for Active Duty Members of the Armed Forces in Combat Zones: A public hearing was held. Justin Aden (Deputy Budget Director) explained that the exemption is for prior-year active duty in a combat zone, up to $20,000 or 25% of assessed value. Legislators raised concerns about the lack of data on potential beneficiaries and the burden on other taxpayers. The measure is an opt-in from New York State, effective for taxable status dates on or after October 1, 2026. The motion carried unanimously.
• Items 325 & 326 – Property Tax Exemption for Seriously Disabled Veterans: This exemption applies to veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled by the VA. Statistics provided: 22,000 veterans in Westchester, 13,000–14,000 veteran homeowners, 1,200–1,500 service-connected permanently disabled, representing 0.4% of the county’s 255,000 taxable parcels. The exemption makes the property fully exempt. Passed unanimously.
• Items 312 & 313 – Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Police Officers Killed in the Line of Duty: The exemption is equal to 50% of the property’s valuation. The definition of police officer follows New York State law. A request was made for a document detailing the definition. Passed unanimously.
• Items 314 & 315 – Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Service Members: This amends an existing exemption to increase it from 10% to 50% and change eligibility from unremarried to surviving spouses. The 50% exemption requires at least five years of service. Passed unanimously.
• Item 345 – Westchester Community College Proposed 2026-2027 Budget: Legislator Alvarado flagged concerns about a nearly 20% tuition increase over three years, but noted WCC remains the cheapest community college in the region. The county contribution remains $6.2 million, same as last year. A multi-year plan is expected. Passed unanimously.
• Item 319 – IMA with City of Mount Vernon for Summer Basketball Program: The $15,000 agreement supports a program for approximately 90 children aged 6–16, run by the Mount Vernon Department of Recreation. Legislator Barr expressed full support, noting it is open to non-Mount Vernon youth. The program runs from July 6 to August 14, 2026. Passed unanimously (Ayes: Cunzio, Puja, Gashi; Absent: Alvarado, Nolan, Tubiolo).
• Items 346 & 347 – CBA and Bond for Ice Casino Improvements Phase Two: An additional $4 million was requested due to code review, changes in refrigerant specifications, and cost escalation. The project addresses the historic building’s deteriorated condition, including a closed studio rink and failing infrastructure. Bids have been received; the contractor is holding the price. The total project cost is now approximately $62 million. Passed unanimously.
• Item 339 – BLR Lab Research Facility Rehabilitation and Upgrade: A $3.2 million request for design development to 60% completion. The project total is $318 million, reduced from $370 million through value engineering. The new facility will be 139,000 square feet, an 8% increase from the current building. The feasibility study projected $275 million in construction costs only. Passed unanimously.
• Item 344 – County Clerk Legal Division Information Technology: $1.3 million capital project to replace the cashiering system (under $330,000) and fund a legal data rewrite. An AI phone system upgrade ($37,000 one-time, $9,000 annual recurring) will improve call handling. The cashier system dates from 2009. Passed unanimously.
• Item 330 – Countywide Building Management System Upgrade: $2.525 million for design to replace the outdated Andover system (installed 1998) with a new ecostructure platform across 28 county facilities. The system controls HVAC, lighting, and other building systems. Passed unanimously.
• Item 343 – New Bus Radio Data System: Additional $2.065 million for CCTV, router replacements, and farebox integration. The project is expected to be completed by Q1 2027. The bus system includes 70–80 buses with new cash payment equipment. Passed unanimously.
• Item 340 – South Yonkers Trunk Sewer System Inspection and Rehab: $1 million to clean and inspect 3,300 linear feet of 60-inch pipe (two-thirds from 1930, one-third from 1995) using multi-sensor technology. No design involved; minor repairs included. Passed unanimously.
• Items 341 & 342 – Building Access Control and Video Surveillance System Upgrade: Continued funding for county facilities, including Playland, 86 Main Street, and Kensico Plaza for the World Cup. The vendor is ITG Larson. Passed unanimously.
• Item 31 (331) – Fire Alarm System Replacement at Jail: Funding for the remaining pods. A pneumatic system (Vesda) was tested successfully. The current system is from 1993 and parts are no longer available. Fire watch will be maintained during installation. Passed unanimously.
• Items 337 & 338 – IMAs with Peekskill and White Plains for Inmate Transportation: Routine renewals for transporting inmates. Passed unanimously.
• Item 329 – Infrastructure Improvements at Jail (Grinder Pump Replacement): $500,000 to replace failing grinder pumps that are original to the complex, failing weekly, and posing health and safety risks. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All items were approved by voice vote with no opposition. Recorded votes for Item 319: 3 Ayes (Cunzio, Puja, Gashi), 3 Absent (Alvarado, Nolan, Tubiolo). All other items passed unanimously among those present, with absences noted for Alvarado, Nolan, and Tubiolo throughout.
• The meeting adjourned at 12:40 PM after the final committee adjournments.