County of Rockland – Budget Review (B6-16-19)

Issued Date
November 14, 2016

Purpose of Budget Review

The purpose of our budget review was to determine whether the significant revenue and expenditure projections in the County’s proposed budget for the 2017 fiscal year are reasonable.

Background

The County of Rockland, located in the downstate area and bordered by Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties, was authorized to issue debt totaling $96 million to liquidate the accumulated deficit in the County’s general fund as of December 31, 2012. Additionally, Chapter 468 of the Laws of 2013 requires the County to submit to the State Comptroller each year, starting with the fiscal year during which it was authorized to issue obligations and for each subsequent fiscal year during which the deficit obligations are outstanding, its proposed budget for the next succeeding fiscal year.

Key Findings

  • The County does not have a plan for reducing the general fund’s outstanding deficit.
  • The 2017 proposed budget does not include potential increased salary costs that may result from employee contract settlements currently in negotiation.
  • The County’s proposed 2017 budget complies with the tax levy limit.

Key Recommendations

  • Develop and implement a formal plan that will eliminate the County’s accumulated deficit over a specified period of time.
  • Consistent with a plan to reduce the remaining deficit in the general fund, ensure that the 2017 adopted budget will result in a decrease of the deficit.
  • Assess the sufficiency of the appropriation for salary costs and increase the appropriation if necessary.