Yonkers Insider: Statement from Yonkers City Council Majority Leader, Corazon Pineda Issac, 2nd District.

Hello everyone, I am pleased to announce that the City Council voted last week on the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget, which passed 6-1. This year's budget season has proven to be a particularly challenging one. However, despite the impacts made by COVID-19 on our economy and on our livelihoods, we were able to come together to adopt an on-time budget, which calls for no cuts to city services for our residents, provides relief to our taxpayers and makes great strides in education investment as well as funding for community programs. The economic toll of the pandemic has led to a lost of millions in revenue, however, we were able to stay within the state tax cap of 2% easing the burden on our taxpayers. The city budget increases the School District budget to $269.9 million — the largest of any big city contribution to a school district outside of New York City. Unfortunately, even with this increase, schools will still face difficult decisions due to the lack of funding from the state government. The city budget also allows for improvements to our water system with a zero water rate increase for residents by integrating a tiered water rate system that differentiates rates for homeowners and commercial enterprises.  The city budget also includes funding for up and coming projects such as pest control as well as renovations and repairs to parks. Although this is not a perfect budget, or as much as we had hoped for, it is the best we can do given our current situation. This would not have been possible without the help of our NYS representatives Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senator Mayer, Assemblyman Pretlow and Assemblyman Sayegh for their contribution in additional aid for education. Congratulations to everyone on their collective effort in support of the FY2021 Budget.  Budget Snapshot: Total budget – $1.24 billion Maintain city services; The Board of Education will eliminate some positions.  Eliminated increases in water rates and sewer rates   Increased the property tax levy yet stayed within the 2% tax cap. (Residents will see an increase of 1.58%) Added an additional $2 million to the Board of Education  Provide funding for community programs including: Replacement of $100,000 for SNUG Add $40,000 for Preventing Teen Pregnancy Program Will Increase funds in the capital budget Funding for parks improvement Funding for rat abatement in West Yonkers

Best regards,   Hon. Corazon Pineda-Isaac E-mail: corazon.pineda.isaac@yonkersny.gov Tel: (914) 377-6312