$160.7M White Plains budget plan calls for 2.3% tax hike

WHITE PLAINS – Property taxes would increase by 2.3 percent under a $160.7 million budget proposal presented to the Common Council on Monday night.

The 2014-15 spending plan is about $10,000 below the state's 2 percent tax cap and calls for a property tax levy of $55 million.

If approved as is, the proposed budget would include a tax rate of $196.14 per $1,000 of assessed valuation — an increase of $4.40 per $1,000. The owner of a home assessed at the White Plains median of $13,400 would pay an additional $59 in city taxes under the proposal.

"It's a very lean budget," Finance Commissioner Michael Genito said before Monday night's meeting.

Genito, who also serves as the city's budget director, noted that the spending plan calls for no cuts in manpower or services.

"The (state) tax cap limits our ability to grow or increase programs," he said.

Officials said increases were the result of a combination of factors, including an $800,000 reduction in the tax base and increases in labor, insurance and interest costs.

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for May 5. The Common Council hopes to adopt a final spending plan on May 19.

The complete budget proposal, along with the schedule of budget presentations and discussions, can be found at www.cityofwhiteplains.com.