DECEMBER 8 — COUNTY LEGISLATURE PASSES 2026 $2.5 BILLION BUDGET | WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE KEN JENKINS ISSUES STATEMENT

ON THE PASSAGE OF THE 2026 COUNTY BUDGET

“I thank the Westchester County Board of Legislators for their diligent work and leadership in revising and passing the 2026 budget. The $2.5 billion dollar spending plan was shaped by one of the most challenging financial climates we have faced in years. The difficulties of 2025 will carry into 2026 and likely beyond, and this budget reflects the hard, necessary choices before us.

“We are operating in a moment of unprecedented instability created by decisions made in Washington by the Trump Administration – decisions far beyond the County’s control. Federal cuts, new requirements and tariff policies have injected volatility into local budgeting in ways we have not experienced in recent memory. This budget is a direct response to that Trump turmoil.

“Westchester’s 2026 budget reduces nearly all County department budgets by eight percent and eliminates 180 positions, reducing our workforce by almost five percent. Even with these cuts, we have produced a tax-cap-compliant budget that protects essential services, supports affordability initiatives and our workforce. For the average homeowner, this amounts to roughly $3 dollars more per month to sustain the level of service Westchester taxpayers expect and deserve.

“Again, I thank the Board for their partnership as we navigate this difficult moment together.”