“This has been an extraordinarily difficult year, and the budget process reflected that,” he said. “We are operating in a moment of unprecedented uncertainty driven by the Trump administration’s decisions beyond our control. Federal cuts, shifting aid formulas and tariffs have created instability in local planning in a way we have not seen in recent memory. There’s no way to sugarcoat it; this is simply the reality of this moment —and we are committed to leading through it with transparency, partnership and integrity.”

Mr. Jenkins blamed rising costs along with lower-than-expected sales tax revenue as the chief contributors to the significant budget gap the county is facing. He cited massive increases in health care costs ($65 million), pension growth ($22 million), social services relief ($21 million); transportation and utilization for children with special needs ($10 million), and pension costs ($8 million).

The Board of Legislators received the administration’s proposed capital budget from Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins on Oct. 15. The capital budget proposal requests $604.8 million in new appropriations on an all-funds basis for 2026 including: $280.5 million for general county purposes and $266.9 million for refuse, sewer and water districts.

The Board of Legislators will also review the proposed Operating Budget and is charged with passing the comprehensive County Budget by the end of December 2025.

Westchester County Executive Jenkins said: “This is not a year for wish lists—it’s a year for wisdom. We are facing significant financial challenges, and that means we have to make every dollar count. Doing nothing, delaying maintenance, or deferring critical projects would ultimately cost taxpayers more. This plan focuses our limited resources on the investments that matter most—the ones that keep Westchester running, safe and strong.”

The 2026 proposed Operating Budget is based on flat sales tax revenue projections for 2026. In 2025, sales tax was originally budgeted to grow 3.5% over the 2024 forecast. However, year-to-date collections through September 2025 are flat compared to 2024. The full-year 2025 forecast is now $943.5 million, which is $26.3 million below budget.

For 2026, the county estimates $970.4 million in sales tax revenue, which represents a 2.8% increase over the revised 2025 forecast of $943.5 million but is essentially flat when compared to the original 2025 budget projection of $969.8 million.

“People are not spending money because of the chaos and uncertainty coming out of Washington,” Mr. Jenkins said. “The instability created under Trump has seeped into Westchester County and is wreaking havoc on our finances—and we are not alone. Local governments across New York State and across the nation are confronting the very same pressures.”

The County Executive also pointed to the fiscal fallout from the decision by MGM not to pursue a full casino gaming license at its Empire City property in Yonkers. That decision represents an estimated $17 million in lost annual revenue for the county, not including the ripple effects across Westchester’s economy in the form of lost sales tax growth that would have followed, he noted.

Highlights of the $605-Million Proposed 2026 Westchester County Capital Budget

In terms of transportation and sustainability, the 2026 proposed Capital Budget includes $122.5 million to replace 94 aging hybrid buses, ensuring a more reliable fleet while significantly reducing emissions and improving air quality across Westchester. In addition, the county is investing $35 million, with an additional $15 million in local matching funds, to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, adding more than 650 new chargers across 77 sites.

Department of Public Works and Transportation Commissioner Hugh Greechan said, “The County Executive’s 2026 Capital Budget proposal builds on this administration’s record of strengthening critical infrastructure to serve the county’s residents well into the future. This budget proposal provides results that will be seen and felt in every corner of the county, creating jobs and supporting the local economy along the way. The county’s capital plan includes everything from road and bridge projects, parks improvements, and flood mitigation projects. I am thankful to the County Executive and this administration for prioritizing infrastructure improvement projects that provide real benefit to the county’s taxpayers and look forward to working on these exciting projects.”

The 2026 Capital Budget makes significant investments to strengthen Westchester’s environmental infrastructure and resilience.

Highlighted Projects:

• Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Facility. The county will invest $150 million for major electrical upgrades and $35 million for solids handling improvements, modernizing one of Westchester’s most vital environmental facilities.
• Lake Isle Dam in Eastchester. The budget includes $9 million in new funding for flood mitigation projects, including $4 million for improvements to the Lake Isle Dam.
• Bridge and culvert replacements in Rye Brook and Rye. An additional $21 million from the New York State Environmental Bond Act will support projects such as protecting communities and strengthening local infrastructure against future storms in these Sound Shore communities.
• The future new Fleet and Road Maintenance Facility. Another key component of the capital budget includes major investments in county facilities to improve efficiency and support essential operations. It is estimated to cost $133.5 million, with $4.3 million in concept funds already appropriated to advance planning.
• The $15 million Complete Streets Municipal Assistance Program. In 2026, the county executive also proposes continuing the program launched in 2025. This program will again help local municipalities design and build safer, more accessible roads. Bonds are expected to be issued in early 2026.
• Housing Implementation Fund and New Homes Land Acquisition Program. In terms of housing-related funding, the county represents nearly $500 million in ongoing and future investments aimed at increasing and preserving affordable housing throughout the county. Since 2019, county funds have supported the creation or preservation of 3,383 affordable homes, helping ensure that more residents have access to safe, quality places to live.

The 2026 Capital Budget adds $25 million to each program, with continued annual funding planned through 2030.

More than 120 capital projects have been formally closed with cost savings in recent months, unlocking $13 million in available revenue for future needs, county officials stated.

The Westchester County Department of Public Works advertised in its Westworks publication a total of five road, bridge and infrastructure projects with a maximum estimated value of $51.35 million. The contracts were scheduled to be let from Oct. 29 to Dec. 10.

The largest contract, with a bid estimate range of $15.9 million to $16.9 million is the “Rehabilitation of Alexander Street and Irvington Pumping Stations, North Yonkers Sanitary Sewer District, City of Yonkers and Village of Irvington, New York,” which was scheduled to be let on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Also scheduled to be let on Oct. 29 was the “Boardwalk Replacement and Trail Rehabilitation, Briarcliff-Peekskill Trailway, Town of Cortlandt, New York” project, which had a bid estimate range of between $1.6 million to $1.75 million.

With a bid due date of Nov. 12, the Westchester DPW is advertising the “Replacement of Bronx River Parkway Bridge (NB: North of County Center – BIN 3348679) and Three Culverts (CBP0040, CBP0050 and CBP0060) over the Bronx River, Town of Greenburgh and City of White Plains, New York.” This project has a bid-estimate range of between $12 million to $13 million.

On Nov. 19, a significant road resurfacing project is scheduled to go out to bid: “Roadway Resurfacing and Related Improvements to Playland Parkway, C.R. #152 from Playland Parkway Access Road, C.R. #147/ Thruway Access Road, C.R. #148 to Forest Avenue and Boston Post Road Access Ramp, A Distance of 1.14 Miles; and Reconstruction of Boston Post Road Bridge over Playland Parkway (BIN 2000050), City of Rye, New York.” This project has a bid-estimated range of between $7.5 million to $7.7 million.

The final infrastructure-related contract advertised by the Westchester DPW involves a fourth bid letting date change to Dec. 10 for the “New Relief Sewer, Saw Mill Section B Sanitary Trunk Sewer, Saw Mill Sanitary Sewer District, Town of New Castle, New York.” The project has a bid-estimate range of between $11 million to $12 million.

For the full proposed 2026 Westchester County Capital Budget go to: https://www.westchestergov.com/images/stories/budget/2026/2026-proposed-capital-budget.pdf