Episode Details
Back to EpisodesThe Friday Intel | 03.20.26: Where Your Tax Dollars Actually Go — The Data Behind Westchester's $197M Budget Hole
Description
Westchester County ranks #1 in the nation for property taxes — $12,812 per year. But county government only controls 15-18% of your bill. This week on The Friday Intel, we break down the 2026 budget: a $197.7 million deficit, 180 eliminated positions, an 8% cut across every department, and a 5.27% tax levy increase that costs the average homeowner about $60 a year. The real threat? Up to $700 million in federal aid at risk.
In This Episode:
(0:00) Cold Open
(0:30) Intro and Context
(1:30) The Data — Budget Cuts, Workforce Reductions, and Sales Tax
(3:30) The Surprise — What County Taxes Actually Control
(5:00) What This Means for You
(6:30) Close
Sources:
Westchester County Executive Office — 2026 Budget Signing Press Release
Westchester County Tax Commission — Property Tax Rates
Tax Foundation — Property Taxes by State and County, 2026
Westchester County Legislature — 2026 Budget Public Hearing
News 12 Westchester — 2026 Budget Coverage
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