Taxes soar in Westchester County

WESTCHESTER (WABC) -- Patricia Johnson pays over 13-thousand dollars a year in taxes on her home in Mt. Vernon. She's part of a record breaking group.

New census figures show not only does Westchester have higher property taxes than any other county in the nation, it's the first where the half its residents pay over 10-thousand dollars a year. For some it's a struggle.

Judy McGrath is with a group that advocates reforming what are called unfunded mandates - programs and costs that school districts and municipalities must pay for without help from the state. A new law limits tax hikes to no more than 2-percent. Some districts have made cuts, but experts say there's not a lot to trim.

Another factor: Westchester's layers of government. Small villages and towns have their own police department and municipal employees. County government makes up another 20-percent of the bill. The county executive says he's lowered some of those costs since taking office.

---
Get Eyewitness News Delivered

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletters | Text Alerts

Get more Northern Suburbs News »

westchester county, taxes, northern suburbs news, marcus solis

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•