Mr. Jenkins, who was elected to a three-year term as Westchester County Executive on Nov. 4, touted some of the highlights of the 2026 Capital Budget including $150 million for upgrades at the Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Facility, another $21 million in State Environmental Bond Act funding for bridge and culvert work in connection with storm prevention projects in Rye Brook and Rye, as well as funding for the planned $133.5-million Fleet and Road Maintenance Facility in Valhalla. 

The County Executive expressed disappointment in the recent decision by MGM Empire City to withdraw its casino license application with the New York State Gaming Commission. Mr. Jenkins said the county would continue to support Empire City but admitted that MGM had lost some of its trust with the county, City of Yonkers and the building trades who collectively lobbied heavily in support of the project.

County Executive Jenkins stressed the importance of investing in infrastructure and forging partnerships between government and the private sector.  “What we have done here in Westchester, with the partnership with the CIC, is making sure we are not letting politics get in the way of doing the work for the health, safety and security of Westchester County. We get stuff done,” County Executive Jenkins said.

CIC Executive Director John Cooney, Jr. addressed MGM’s decision to withdraw its bid for a casino license and although disappointing, Mr. Cooney said the blame lies in large part with the New York State Gaming Commission. He noted that recently the Gaming Commission adopted new rules issued “in the ninth inning” that limited the license term of MGM Empire City from the anticipated 30 years to 15 years.

He said that the Gaming Commission’s new formula based on the amount of investment did not take into consideration the costs incurred by MGM Empire in Yonkers and Resorts World New York City in Queens on acquiring and upgrading their existing gaming facilities.

“Yes, MGM has some blame, but the New York State Gaming Commission should look at themselves in the mirror,” he said.

The DEP’s Bureau of Engineering Design and Construction currently manages more than 210 capital projects valued at approximately $37 billion. The bureau has approximately $10.6 billion in committed capital project funding over the next 10 years. In Fiscal Year 2025 it will let 11 contracts worth approximately $2.3 billion and is projected to let another $1.9 billion in work in Fiscal Year 2026 and another $2.09 billion in Fiscal Year 2027.

Mr. McAndrew and Mr. Moriarty then detailed a host of Wastewater, Special and Water System contracts to be let in the near future, including large projects valued at more than $50 million and $100 million at DEP facilities in Westchester, Ulster, the Catskills and the boroughs of New York City.