Westchester County Board of Legislators Regular Meeting – August 3, 2026

The Westchester County Board of Legislators convened at 10:15 AM on Monday, August 3, 2026, in the Legislative Chamber at 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains. Chairman Vedat Gashi presided with a quorum of 15 members present. The meeting included approval of the consent agenda, a public hearing on the 2026–2027 Westchester Community College Budget (no speakers), and action on numerous bond acts, inter-municipal agreements, and resolutions for public hearings. The meeting adjourned at 11:14 AM.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: Minutes of the July 20, 2026, regular meeting were adopted unanimously (15-0).
• Consent Agenda Items (Calendar 16): The consent agenda was moved by Majority Leader Holstein, seconded by Minority Leader Cunzio, and passed 15-0 with one correction: a typo in the caption of item 2026-366 (name “Levin” corrected). This agenda included 48 items from the County Executive (inter-municipal agreements for aging services, easements, flood mitigation bond acts, land acquisitions for affordable housing, reappointments to the Women’s Advisory Board and Storm Water Advisory Board, and various bond acts for infrastructure projects), two items from the County Attorney (assignment of bankruptcy recoverable, lawsuit settlement), three memos of legislation from Legislators (Strengthen Tethering Law, MWBE Prompt Payment Act, Utility Bill Navigation and Energy Affordability Act), and two informational notices. All were received, filed, and referred to the appropriate committees.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public registered to speak during the public comment period or the public hearing on the Westchester Community College Budget.

Public Hearing

• 2026-303: Proposed 2026–2027 Westchester Community College Budget – A public hearing was held at 10:30 AM. No speakers appeared. Majority Leader Holstein declared the hearing closed. (RES-2026-72)

Discussion Items

Flavored Nicotine Vapor Products Public Hearing – The board set a public hearing for September 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM on Local Law Intro 2026-213, which would establish a rebuttable presumption regarding possession of flavored nicotine vapor products. The committee report was updated to reflect approved changes. Motion passed 15-0.

Tax Exemptions for Surviving Spouses and Veterans – Three resolutions set public hearings for September 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM:

• Real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty (Local Law Intro 2026-313).
• Tax exemption for surviving spouses of volunteer firefighters and ambulance service members (Local Law Intro 2026-315).
• Real property tax exemption for active duty members of the Armed Forces serving in a combat zone (Local Law Intro 2026-324). Each passed 15-0.

Tax Exemption for Seriously Disabled Veterans – A resolution to set a public hearing (Local Law Intro 2026-326) was amended by Chairman Gashi on a motion by Legislator Woodson-Samuels to update qualifications to reflect New York State Real Property Tax Law Section 548A as modified on May 28, 2026. The amendment passed 15-0. The underlying resolution setting the hearing for September 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM then passed 15-0.

Mount Vernon Summer Basketball Program IMA (2026-319) – Authorized an inter-municipal agreement with the City of Mount Vernon for a six-week summer basketball program from July 6 to August 14, 2026, at a cost not to exceed $15,000, serving up to 90 youth ages 6–16. Approved 15-0.

Infrastructure Bond Acts – Several bond acts were approved 15-0 for:

• Correctional facility infrastructure improvements ($500,000) for sewer grinder pumps (BCR5F-3230).
• County-wide building management system HVAC upgrades ($2,525,000) (B0129-3245).
• Correctional facility fire alarm system replacement ($7,960,000) (BCR64-3232).
• Labs and research facility rehabilitation and upgrade ($3,200,000) at Grasslands Campus to advance design from 30% to 60% (BLR12).
• South Yonkers Trunk Sewer System Reconstruction phase one ($1,000,000) along Sunnyside Lane (SPS18-3262). Legislator Alvarado stressed the urgency of addressing sewage issues in Southwest Yonkers.
• Building access control and video surveillance system upgrades ($1,300,000) (BIT45).
• New bus radio/data system ($2,065,000) for yard management, CCTV, scheduling software (T0063).
• County Clerk Legal Division IT upgrades ($1,300,000) (BCC06).

Prisoner Transportation IMAs – Approved 15-0: with the City of Peekskill (reimbursement not to exceed $190,000) and the City of White Plains (reimbursement not to exceed $195,000), both retroactive from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027.

Westchester Community College 2026–2027 Budget (2026-345) – The board adopted the budget after extensive discussion. The budget includes approximately $132.7 million for operating expenses, $24.1 million for capital investments, and a county contribution of $26.2 million. A modest tuition increase was included; over four years tuition has risen more than 20%. Several legislators expressed concerns about affordability but supported the budget, citing WCC’s role as a key educational and economic asset. Approved 15-0.

Ice Casino Improvements II (RP02A) – Two items authorized an additional $4 million for rehabilitation, bringing the total project cost to $62,789,000. The increase was attributed to code review changes (including EPA refrigerant rule changes), tariff-related cost escalation (e.g., plumbing costs increased 207%), and other market factors. The project includes studio rink rehabilitation, roofing, locker rooms, mechanical/electrical/ADA improvements, and historic facade restoration. Both the capital budget amendment and the amended bond act passed 15-0.

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda was approved with a correction to item 2026-366.
• Public hearings were set for September 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM on five local laws: flavored nicotine vapor products, tax exemptions for surviving spouses of police, firefighters/ambulance members, active duty military, and seriously disabled veterans.
• Inter-municipal agreements for the Mount Vernon summer basketball program and prisoner transportation for Peekskill and White Plains were authorized.
• Bond acts totaling over $20 million were approved for various capital projects (correctional, HVAC, fire alarm, labs, sewer, security systems, bus radio, IT, flood mitigation, and ice casino).
• The 2026–2027 Westchester Community College Budget was adopted.
• Memorial resolutions were adopted honoring Pietro Terranova, JoAnn Bateman, Maryann Theresa Diaz, Guadalupe D. Ortiz, Christina “Tina” Seckerson (former Board Clerk who served over 30 years), Rev. Dr. Benilda Armstead-Jones, and June Delores Castleberry.
• Legislator Williams Johnson noted a tragic shooting in her district involving teenagers and urged community access to county resources.
• The board adjourned to reconvene on September 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM.