Yorktown Adopts 2023 Budget that Cuts Taxes, Preserves Services

(December 7, 2022) – The Town Board adopted a 2023 Town budget that reduces taxes and enhances public safety.

Under the $65.4 million budget adopted on Tuesday, the average home assessed at $10,000 will see a decrease in their town tax rate of approximately $25.59. The Town’s 23 special taxing districts, which include specific parks and sewer districts either remained flat or saw slight decreases.

“This wasn’t an easy budget,” said Supervisor Matt Slater. “It’s a needs-only budget, and considering the forces that were against us, I think this is a sound budget for Yorktown that really keeps us moving in the right direction.”

The adopted budget reduced both the Town’s Tax Levy and Tax Rate for the second time in the past three years. The 2023 budget enhances public safety by allowing the Police Department to hire an additional officer to expand the Traffic Unit.

Rising costs have hit Yorktown—and local governments nationwide—with significant increases in essential operational items such as diesel gasoline, road salt, construction materials and employee health insurance.

The biggest hit to the Town’s budget was a sharp increase in the cost of garbage and recycling service, which grew by $1,500,000 after the current hauler proposed doubling the rate by $2,000,000. The 2023 contract will ultimately cost customers of the refuse district $1,500,000 less over the first five years as compared to the first proposal and $2,500,000 less if the contract extends the full eight years.

“There’s no fat in here to cut off,” said deputy Supervisor Tom Diana. “The garbage contract alone saved us quite a bit of money for the first year and then over the remaining years, so we’re hoping that will be reflected in the upcoming budgets.”

Town taxes fund the general operating budget, and they represent 12% of the total property tax bill. Other portions of the tax bill include refuse and recycling service, fire and EMS and water.

Photo caption: Members of the Yorktown Town Board during their 2023 budget hearing and vote on December 6, 2022. Photo courtesy of the Town of Yorktown.

Contact:  Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater, 914-962-5722 x201 or [email protected]