Eastchester REVIEW THE
December 14, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 50 | www.eastchesterreview.com
Westchester to establish first crisis stabilization center
What a night
Come celebrate the season with live music at “A Not So Silent Night,” The Picture House’s first-ever holiday concert. For more, see page 6.
Latimer signs 2019 county budget; 2% tax increase After today’s affirmative vote by the Board of Legislators, County Executive George Latimer signed the $1.94 billion 2019 County Operating Budget. The budget stays well below the New York State tax cap of 5.7 percent, maintains the county’s reserves, funds vital county services which taxpayers rely on and begins the process of restoring fiscal responsibility to Westchester county government. “This budget comes from realities we all must face here in Westchester,” Latimer said. “Behind numbers are human beings and services that are essential to them. That is the correlation that people need to make, this budget is more than just the total cost of governing but rather the services provided.” This budget was adopted, following unprecedented public input, with four main ideals at
the forefront: • Westchester County property taxes kept at or below the New York State tax cap • Basic Westchester County services and facilities maintained for all county residents • Establish a multi-year game plan to ensure long term financial solvency for the county • Open and transparent communication with all “Tonight, I am going to stop by the south side of Mount Vernon and go down the street that I grew up on, look at that little house and be thankful I was born in this county and that now I have a chance to help this county in a concrete way,” Latimer said. The adopted budget funds essential services for county residents, pays all county employees the 2019 state minimum wage of $12 per hour, increases sup-
port for our daycare and not for profit service providers and implements the raising of the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18 years old. This is done with a modest 2 percent increase to the property tax levy—well below the 5.7 percent tax cap Westchester is afforded, according to an independent audit. Further, the modest 2 percent increase to the county property tax levy is well below what other jurisdictions have proposed and acknowledges the hardship the federal government has imposed on the people of Westchester through the loss of the State and Local Tax, SALT, Deduction in the American Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. “This was the first time ever that the county executive went out to hear from the public before the budget process even started,” Deputy County Executive Ken
Jenkins said. “Today was a good day for the people of Westchester because things are transparent and moving forward.” The 2019 budget, for the first time in recent memory, aims to fund the true cost of running county government for the year. Previous budgets, like the 2017 Westchester County Operating Budget had run a $32 million general fund operating deficit. For 2018, the projected general fund shortfall stands at $39 million. This budget hole of $71 million is roughly a 50 percent reduction in the county’s rainy day fund. As noted by each of the three major rating agencies and the Office of the State Comptroller, continued reliance on these funds will only lead to further fiscal issues for the county and is why this budget keeps the entire fund intact. (Submitted)
Following through on Westchester County Executive George Latimer’s transition team recommendation, the county Department of Community Mental Health, DCMH, is taking steps to establish the County’s first Crisis Stabilization Center in White Plains. Funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health, DCMH received one year of start-up funding to create a Crisis Stabilization Team, to establish innovative programming to reduce the incarceration and hospitalization of individuals with complex mental health and substance abuse needs. The initial meeting of key stakeholders will be held next week at the county Board of Elections. “Westchester County has seen the deterioration of the safety net for our most vulnerable people,” Latimer said. “The transition team, which consisted of leaders from across the county, recognized this problem and called us to action, urging for the creation of four Crisis Stabilization Hubs. I am proud to announce that before the close of this year, my office, Westchester County DCMH and our colleagues within Westchester, as well as our community partners, have come together to begin making this first hub in White Plains a reality.” The Crisis Stabilization Team will be modeled after the nationally recognized Dutchess County Stabilization Hub, and will serve
people in mental health or substance abuse crisis who are often homeless, facing arrest or in need of emergency hospitalization. This first hub will serve the city of White Plains, parts of the town of Greenburgh, Scarsdale and Mamaroneck town and village, Rye, Port Chester and Harrison—all communities that typically utilize hospital emergency services in White Plains. “DCMH has been working to develop such a model for several years and the recognition of this great need has brought the community a greater awareness,” said Michael Orth, commissioner of the county Department of Community Mental Health. “Through the support of the Office of Mental Health, the County Executive’s office, and our partners in the community, we are taking a major step to bring needed crisis stabilization to Westchester.” DCMH has identified nearly 50 different organizations ranging from emergency services and law enforcement, to health and behavioral health providers, to school district and government entities—all who have a vested interest and major role in building crisis stabilization in Westchester for long-term success. Using the White Plains hub as a model, the county intends to map out a replication plan for similar crisis centers in three other communities across Westchester. (Submitted)
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