county taxes up in greenburgh...down elsewhere. highlights need for reassessment

County taxes will go up slightly for residents of Greenburgh. The following article appeared in rivertownspatch.com today.  This article highlights the need for a county-wide reassessment of properties. In 2013 some communities in Westchester will see a tax hike. Others will see a tax decrease.  Earlier this year Yonkers Mayor MIke Spano and I sent a letter to communities in Westchester inviting them to participate in conducting a reassessment of properties. In  2013 we will announce the communities that have agreed to join us in reassessment. We've been pointing fingers at the county for many years. It's time we take action ourselves and start the process.  The 2013 capital budget, which will be finalized in early 2013, will include funding for reassessment.  The town will save significant dollars by partnering with other communities -conducting reassessment.
PAUL FEINER

Tax Bill to Increase for Town Residents
The county executive's office released estimated changes in the county tax levy by community. Greenburgh’s contribution to the county budget will be 2.10 percent more in 2013.

By Zach Oliva
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The Town of Greenburgh’s contribution to the county tax levy will increase by more than 2 percent in 2013, according to Westchester County Executive who released a municipality-by-municipality breakdown of the county's tax contributions on Dec. 21.
While the recently approved county budget's tax levy is zero, differences in property value assessments from community to community create discrepancies in the amount owed within each municipality.
Greenburgh will pay about 2.10 percent more, while White Plains will enjoy one of the biggest decreases at 6.07 percent, second in the county to Mt. Vernon, where contributions will decrease by 7.67 percent. In total, 15 communities will see their tax levy decrease next year and 10 will see an increase. The biggest increase was in Rye, where contributions will increase by 7.46 percent.
The $1.7 billion county budget has a property tax levy of $548 million in 2013, the same amount as in 2012.
"The county has done its job to hold the line on our county property tax," Astorino said in a statement. "However, every year the county tax levy affects local governments differently."
County taxes account for between 15 and 20 percent of the average property owner's tax bill, about 60 percent of taxes are paid to local schools and approximately 20 percent goes to local government.
Local municipalities receive their tax bills from the county in the spring and handle collection of bills, which are usually due toward the end of April. While the county hands the tax levy down to local governments, it does not determine the exact tax rate handed down to taxpayers.

Municipality
Estimated Change

City of Mt. Vernon
- 7.67 percent

City of New Rochelle
-2.53 percent

City of Peekskill
-2.63 percent

City of Rye
+7.46 percent

City of White Plains
-6.07 percent

City of Yonkers
-3.19 percent

Town of Bedford
+2.51 percent

Town of Cortlandt
+1.60 percent

Town of Eastchester
-0.98 percent

Town of Greenburgh
+2.10 percent

Town of Harrison
+5.73 percent

Town of Lewisboro
-5.56 percent

Town of Mamaroneck
+5.16 percent

Town of Mt. Kisco
-1.54 percent

Town of Mt. Pleasant
+1.22 percent

Town of New Castle
-0.45 percent

Town of North Castle
+3.25 percent

Town of North Salem
+0.90 percent

Town of Ossining
-5.0 percent

Town of Pelham
-2.52 percent

Town of Pound Ridge
+0.83 percent

Town of Rye
-3.74 percent

Town of Scarsdale
+6.33 percent

Town of Somers
-3.18 percent

Town of Yorktown
-2.17 percent