Mount Vernon Proposes $100M Budget, 4.46 Percent Tax Increase

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. – The Mount Vernon Board of Estimate and Contract has proposed a $100.9 million city budget for 2015, representing a 4.46 percent property tax increase.

Mount Vernon officials have proposed the city's first $100 million budget.
Photo Credit: *cmvny.com*

Zak Failla

12/31/2014 5:30 a.m.

Like many Westchester County municipalities, Mount Vernon continues to be handcuffed with escalating unfunded mandates and benefits packages, which comprise more than $40 million of the final budget.

In all, the proposed $100,921,275 2015 budget represents a near $5 million over last year’s $96 million budget. If it were to be approved, it would be the first in city history to surpass $100 million.

If approved, the city would invest more than $10 million into the state retirement system, $4 million to Social Security and nearly $15 million to cover city employee health and dental insurance.

For the third straight year, City Council wages will remain unchanged, and Mayor Ernest Davis will continue earning an annual salary of $143,000, although his chief of staff and a community relations assistant each got sizable raises from 2014.

The proposed budget can be seen here.

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