White Plains Urban Renewal Agency

A Special Meeting of the Common Council held Monday, April 22, 2025, called for six thirty o’clock in the Common Council Chamber Mayor Roach presiding and the following members present: Mr. Brasch, Mr. Martin, Ms. Presser, and Mrs. Puja. Mr. Frei-Pearson and Mr. Payne were absent. The meeting was called to discuss the 2025-2026 Budget. The Mayor granted the pleasure of the floor to the Budget Director, James Arnett. 2025-2026 Proposed Budget City of White Plains, New York April 22, 2025 www.cityofwhiteplains.com  Budget Overview Fiscal Year: July 1 – June 30 Credit Rating: Aa1 Tax Levy increasing by 2.23% 2025-2026 Tax Rate Increase: 2.49% Within the 2025-2026 Tax Levy Cap  General Fund Highlights $250.27 tax rate ↑$6.09 (2.49%) Median increase $82 per year $219.5M appropria ons ↑$6.6M (3.1%) Maintain high level of services Continue to look for efficiencies Revenues by Source Use of fund balance 7.3% $16.0M Parking Revenue Property tax 14.2% levy $31.2M 31.7% $69.5M Other Revenues Sales Tax 20.6% 26.2% $45.3M $57.5M  Sales Tax Receipts (in Millions) 10 Year History $58.6 $57.5 $57.5 $51.1 $49.4 $45.1 $45.1 $60 $44.4 $42.9 $41.7 $5.8 $5.7 $5.7 $50 $17.0 $17.3 $17.6 $17.3 $16.5 $14.7 $15.0 $15.0 $40 $14.3 $13.9 $30 $32.9 $34.1 $34.5 $35.2 $34.5 $30.1 $30.1 $29.7 $28.6 $27.8 $20 $10 $0 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Rate increased from 1.5% to 2% effective 9/1/93. Additional .25% increase added 6/1/08, bringing unrestricted rate to 2.25%. As of 7/1/23 the restriction on the additional .25% of the sales tax added in 2010 was removed and that portion is now unrestricted. FY 2024-2025 receipts are projected. FY 2025-2026 is as Proposed.  Expenditures by Object Transfers Out Other Expenses $22.0M $3.0M 1.3% 10.0% Direct Costs $19.0M 8.7% Salaries & Wages Materials & $94.2M Supplies 42.9% $11.8M Employee 5.4% Benefits $69.5M 31.7% General Fund Transfer to Debt Service Fund $17,000,000 $16,000,000 $15,000,000 $14,000,000 Transfer To Debt $13,000,000 Service $12,000,000 $11,000,000  Other Funds Appropriations (millions) Adopted Proposed % Fund 2024-2025 2025-2026 Change Library $ 7.38 $ 7.40 0.3% Self Insurance 6.11 6.24 2.0% Sewer Rent 3.97 4.24 6.7% Water 19.87 20.36 2.5% Debt Service 15.63 16.12 3.2%  Tax Levy vs Expenditure Increase Salaries and Active Health Retirees Health Total Year Wages Pension Costs Insurance Insurance Expenditures 23-24 Adopted $87,826,603 $17,516,160 $19,103,545 $14,083,007 $201,498,532 24-25 Adopted 90,631,600 19,815,617 19,750,158 15,456,300 212,876,670 25-26 Proposed 94,231,716 22,169,693 19,837,457 16,522,200 219,495,989 2 Year Increase $6,405,113 $4,653,533 $733,912 $2,439,193 $17,997,457 Sales Tax Interest Fund Balance Year Revenue Parking Revenue Revenue Contribution Tax Levy 22-23 Adopted $49,829,481 $25,636,002 $36,500 $10,173,047 $67,087,244 23-24 Adopted 54,440,000 26,140,627 1,530,000 11,882,038 67,086,941 24-25 Adopted 56,000,000 29,188,660 2,300,000 14,190,702 68,004,565 25-26 Proposed 57,540,000 31,218,554 3,245,000 14,190,702 69,519,174 3 Year Increase $7,710,519 $5,582,552 $3,208,500 $4,017,655 $2,431,930 Tax Levy Total % of Total Expenditures Tax Levy Expenditures 22-23 Adopted $190,018,458 $67,087,244 35.3% 23-24 Adopted 201,498,532 67,086,941 33.3% 24-25 Adopted 212,876,670 68,004,565 31.9% 25-26 Proposed 219,495,989 69,519,174 31.7% 2025-2026 Proposed Budget City of White Plains, New York April 22, 2025 Questions  The Mayor granted the pleasure of the floor to the Commissioner of Parking, Kevin Livingston.  City of White Plains Department of Parking (& Traffic) FY 2025/2026 Proposed Budget  Major Categories of Revenue for the Current Fiscal Year $14,000,000 $12,000,000 $10,000,000 $8,000,000 Budget $6,000,000 As of December 2024 Estimated $4,000,000 $2,000,000 $0 Parking Parking Parking RLC Fines Meter Fees Fines Permits  4 Year Review: Parking Meter Fees $14,000,000 $12,000,000 $10,000,000 $8,000,000 $6,000,000 $4,000,000 $2,000,000 $0 Actual 21/22 Actual 22/23 Actual 23/24 Estimated 24/25  4 Year Review: Parking Fines $8,600,000 $8,400,000 $8,200,000 $8,000,000 $7,800,000 $7,600,000 $7,400,000 $7,200,000 $7,000,000 Actual 21/22 Actual 22/23 Actual 23/24 Estimated 24/25  4 Year Review: Permit Fees $7,200,000 $7,000,000 $6,800,000 $6,600,000 $6,400,000 $6,200,000 $6,000,000 $5,800,000 $5,600,000 $5,400,000 Actual 21/22 Actual 22/23 Actual 23/24 Estimated 24/25  4 Year Review: Red Light Camera Fines $1,480,000.00 $1,460,000.00 $1,440,000.00 $1,420,000.00 $1,400,000.00 $1,380,000.00 $1,360,000.00 $1,340,000.00 $1,320,000.00 $1,300,000.00 $1,280,000.00 $1,260,000.00 Actual 21/22 Actual 22/23 Actual 23/24 Estimated 24/25  Expenses FY 2025/26 $20,439,821 Debt Service Salaries, Contribution, Equipment, $6,876,811 $4,746,928 $193,757 Direct Costs, $2,923,184 Benefits, $3,642,566 Materials & Supplies, $2,056,575  Proposed Revenues FY 2025/26 $31,218,554 Leases Miscellaneous WPCG RLC Fines $976,744 $1,370,011 Enforcement 3% 4% $505,902 $1,331,60 2% 6 Parking Meter 4% Parking Permits Fees $7,065,485 $11,461,206 23% 37% Parking Fines $8,507,600 27% Questions?  The Mayor granted the pleasure of the floor to the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works, Stefania Mignone.  City of White Plains Department of Public Works 2025-2026 PROPOSED BUDGET PRESENTATION APRIL 22, 2025 COMMISSIONER STEFANIA A. MIGNONE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, JOSEPH TYROS, P.E. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, NADIA SAVAGE, P.E. CONNIE CERNY, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER  What does the Public Works Budget Consist of ? ○ Public Works (General Fund) - $35,989,129 — 187 employees ○ Water Fund – $20,358,500— 28 employees ○ Sewer Fund - $4,241,300 — 7 employees  Positions Funded by Bureau Bureau Staff Percent Highway/ Park Maintenance 64 29% Sanitation 56 25% Water 28 13% Building Maintenance 21 9% Garage & Shop 19 9% Engineering 14 6% Administration 11 5% Sewer 7 3% Storm water 2 1% Total 222 100%  Expenditure Summary – Public Works Salaries $17,328,989 48.15% Benefits $9,316,775 25.89% Materials & Supplies $6,212,015 17.26% Direct Costs $2,841,796 7.90% Equipment/Rolling Stock $289,554 0.80% $35,989,129 100.0%  Public Works Proposed Budget by Bureau 2025-2026 % of Total Highway $10,417,338 28.95% Sanitation $9,697,699 26.95% Building Maintenance $5,495,175 15.27% Garage & Shop $2,802,863 7.79% Parks Maintenance $2,650,977 7.37% Engineering $2,649,909 7.36% Administration $2,192,885 6.09% Stormwater $82,283 0.23% Grand Total $35,989,129 100.00%  Revenue Sources Intergovernmental revenue includes city court cleaning/minor repairs reimbursement and NYS arterial highway mtce on Rte 119 Tarrytown Intergovernmental $200,550 Rd to Bank St and NYSERDA grant for infrastructure projects. Charges for Services $266,165 Charges for Services include NYPA Refuse removal at 123 Main Street, WP school District reimbursement for fuel, West. County Snow & Ice agreement Licenses & Permits $1,531,750 Licenses & Permits include Code Enforcement revenues for Street Openings, Street Obstructions Sidewalk Cafes, Street Vaults, Fines & Forfeiture $300 Sidewalk/Curb/Driveway, Stormwater permits Miscellaneous $2,291,042 Fines & Forfeiture Forfeited engineering deposits Revenues Miscellaneous Revenues include rental of real property such as West. County Transfer Station, solar rent, and other city lease agreements. Grand Total $4,289,807 Budget Impacts ● Price increases due to supply chain issues, new tariffs and world events. ● Delivery delays due to supply chain issues. ● Uncertainty of federal funding. ● Employee Retention. ● Westchester County Solid Waste and Organic tipping fees increase of approx. 35% Highlights ● Awarded approx. $1,000,000 grant. Planted an additional 200 trees this year and provided training for staff and for public. ● Accessible playground equipment and new picnic pavilion at Delfino Park. ● Feasibility study of energy efficient systems for City Facilities, i.e. geothermal. Playground Ribbon Cutting at Delfino Park Picnic Pavilion at Delfino Park Slater Center playground  Additional Highlights ● 20 Lane Miles of road resurfaced, 5,200 LF of concrete curbing, and 8,300 SF of sidewalk replacement. ● Continued expansion of Electric Vehicles and Chargers for City Fleet. ● Silver Certification as a NYS Climate Smart Community. ● Continue to replace small engine landscaping and highway equipment with electric. ● Fast Chargers in municipal parking lots Additional Highlights ● DPW at Your Service App at 11,000 mobile users. ○ An increase of 2,500. ● Celebrating 42 Years as a Tree City. ○ 5th oldest in NY State. ● Continuing to replace litter baskets with solar powered compacting garbage receptacles ○ 17 Big Bellies throughout the downtown. ● New Pavement Assessment Program - Based on the evaluation of the City’s entire roadway network.  The Mayor granted the pleasure of the floor to the Commissioner Chong of Public Safety who spoke and introduced Police Chief Castelli and Fire Chief Petriccione who presented budget information for their respective departments. CITY OF WHITE PLAINS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY INTEGRITY – PROFESSIONALISM - RESPECT  PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET BY BUREAU Fire Bureau PS Admin $36,822,561 $2,122,855 40.9% 2.3% Police Bureau $51,074,347 56.7% 2  Public Safety Budget 24-25 25-26 Diff Overall PS Budget $83,254,650 $90,019,763 $6,765,113 8.13% PS Admin $1,982,915 $2,122,855 $139,940 7.06% Fire $34,172,216 $36,822,561 $2,650,345 7.76% Police $47,099,519 $51,074,347 $3,974,828 8.44% 3  Police Budget 24_25 25_26 Diff Police $47,099,519 $51,074,347 $3,974,828 8.44% Salaries & Wages $28,625,174 $31,015,305 $2,390,131 8.35% Overtime * $1,851,300 $2,012,000 $160,700 8.68% Included in Salaries & Wages above Employee Benefits $15,964,925 $17,868,578 $1,903,653 11.92% Materials & Supplies $986,510 $1,067,365 $80,855 8.20% Direct Costs $438,192 $443,099 $4,907 1.12% Equipment $1,084,718 $680,000 -$404,718 -37.31% 4 POLICE BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS • Continued emphasis on training BA36 2.602 Education –Training Fees - $50,000 BA36 2.603 Travel & Transportation – $25,000 The Police bureau continues to emphasize the importance of training and takes advantage of training opportunities (i.e.., Train-the-Trainer programs). We are also sending more supervisors to Executive training (i.e., National Academy, FBI LEEDA, etc.) This higher level training comes at a higher cost.  Expanding use of new technology 4.015 Service Contracts – Increase of $176,797 This is a consolidation of services and a majority of the increase is for contract with Axon for Body Worn Cameras and digital evidence storage. There has also been an increase overall in the service contracts.  3.112 Portable Equipment Maint. – $194,725 A result of consolidation of department equipment maintenance for our expanding street cameras, license plate readers (LPR’s), drones and AI software. We have also increased our “less than lethal” equipment, including Axon Tasers. 5 OUTSIDE FUNDING (I.E.. GRANTS)  In the coming fiscal year, we expect to receive ten (10) grants which total approx. $265,000.  We constantly seek out new grants and other outside funding. This past year, we took advantage of a NYS Law Enforcement Technology grant for $807,000 which was used for radio equipment, investigative equipment, license plate readers, cameras, AI software and drones.  We also participate in three Federal task forces, two FBI and one DEA) which result in approx. $80,000 per year in proceeds from seized assets.  We have an Officer who works closely with the Real Time Crime (RTC) center which is a collaborative effort within Westchester County to support Law Enforcement agencies by collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence. It serves as a central hub for intelligence-based products specific to Westchester County and the City of White Plains.  VAW (Violence Against Women) 6  Fire Budget 24-25 25-26 Diff Fire $34,172,216 $36,822,561 $2,650,345 7.76% Salaries & Wages $20,302,260 $21,792,896 $1,490,636 7.34% Overtime * $1,723,190 $1,934,250 $211,060 12.25% Included in Salaries & Wages above Employee Benefits $13,040,420 $14,192,505 $1,152,085 8.83% Materials & $391,608 $514,905 $123,297 31.48% Supplies Direct Costs $125,876 $133,500 $7,624 6.06% Equipment $312,052 $188,755 -$123,297 -39.51% 7 FIRE STAFFING Increased by 2 firefighters • Will help offset the impact of current vacancies. • Maintain levels of service to meet the growth of the City. • Combined with the increase in overtime will help ensure the staffing of our full compliment of fire apparatus 8 THANK YOU FLORA@CONTOSO.COM HTTP://WWW.CONTOSO.COM/ HANDOUTS FLORA@CONTOSO.COM HTTP://WWW.CONTOSO.COM/ POLICE HIGHLIGHTS • Increase by 3 Officers - helps to maintain the professional level of service to the public as the City continues to expand and develop. • It takes approx. ten (10) months of continuous training from hiring until an Officer is available for solo patrol. This time includes a County Police Academy, in-house White Plains training program and field training. • In calendar year 2025 we have over 30 Officers that could retire with 17 of those being Commanding Officers and Supervisors. • There is an increase in our Calls for Service involving persons in crisis. Our Mental Health Outreach Team (MHOT) assists patrol Officers in their response and also proactively engage people who may need services. The Department participates in many area programs that assist those in need. • We also emphasize the need for Officer wellness which refers to the overall well-being of Law Enforcement Officers, encompassing their physical, emotional, mental, and social health. It addresses the unique stressors and challenges of policework MHOT Statistics to ensure Officers can effectively serve while Homeless Outreach: 78 YTD (+47 over 2024 YTD) maintaining their own health and well-being. Mental Health Outreach: 187 YTD (+46 over 2024 YTD) 11 FIRE TRAINING • Westchester County Fire Academy Training courses currently only offered twice a year. The Academy is four months long. Which, thereby increases the amount of time after hiring a firefighter before they can be assigned to Suppression. • As a result of “WP Drill School” still being closed we need to seek more outside training opportunities. • Continue to emphasize the importance of training and take advantage of training opportunities to help maintain high levels of service. • New York State requires a minimum of 101 training hours per member • ISO Class 1 – 228 Hours of Training • Special units (Rescue and Haz Mat) do additional training as required 12  On motion of Mayor Roach, seconded, and duly carried, the Common Council adjourned the meeting. ____________________ Jill Iannetta City Clerk