Westchester County Executive Jenkins Signs $2.5-Billion 2026 Budget

WHITE PLAINS— Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins officially signed the 2026 Westchester County Operating Budget on Dec. 15. The $2.5-billion, tax cap-compliant budget cuts almost all county department budgets by 8%, including the County Executive’s budget, and eliminates 180 positions, which will trim the county’s workforce by almost 5%.

The County Executive’s action follows the approval of the budget by the County Board of Legislators on Dec. 5. Westchester County officials pointed to a host of factors that led to the departmental and funding cuts including: rising healthcare costs of $46.4 million; pension growth of $14 million; transportation and utilization for children with special needs that accounted for $10 million and an increase in debt service, which added $13 million to the budget.

Westchester County Executive Jenkins said: “Let me be clear: this budget was not shaped by ideology or politics, but by reality. In uncertain times, our responsibility is to lead, and this budget does exactly that. The $2.5 billion budget was shaped by one of the most challenging financial climates we have faced in years. The difficulties of 2025 will carry into 2026 and likely beyond, and this budget reflects the hard, necessary choices before us. This budget is a direct response to Trump turmoil coming out of Washington.”

Among the actions taken to address the rising costs were: a hard hiring freeze and elimination of 180 positions (savings of $28 million); reductions in contracts, technical services and expenses (savings of $34.5 million); reductions in overtime/hourly (savings of $11.6 million); right-sizing social services relief (savings of $5.2 million); reductions in equipment (savings of $4.5 million) and reductions in materials and supplies (savings of $2.6 million).

Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Vedat Gashi said: “This balanced budget would not be possible without the input of residents from every corner of the county and the partnership of County Executive Jenkins. We are operating in a moment of unprecedented instability created by the Trump Administration. The Board has done everything possible to protect essential services, provide for our most vulnerable neighbors, and keep Westchester on stable financial footing. I am deeply thankful to everyone who made their voices heard throughout this budget process.”