NEW CITY – The Rockland County Legislature has selected Democrat Jay Hood, Jr. as its chairman for a second time.
Democrats reelected Alden Wolfe as majority leader and Republicans reelected Lon Hofstein as minority leader.
“The past year was one of such tremendous accomplishment, made all the sweeter because it followed a decade of difficult, deliberate and detailed efforts to turn the county’s finances around,” Hood said. “Thanks to the efforts of my Legislative colleagues and County Executive Ed Day and his administration, We. Are. Back.”
During the Wednesday night session, Hood noted there will be no county property tax increase in 2023, just as there was no property tax increase in 2022.
The county motor vehicle tax and residential energy sales tax were both cut out completely. “Together representing the equivalent of a 9.54 percent property tax cut for our residents,” he said.
Seeing the struggles families are going through and to help, the county’s portion of sales tax on gasoline was reduced, resulting in a savings of about $5 for a typical fill-up.
The income eligibility for seniors seeking a reduction in property taxes has been increased, from $29,000 to $50,000 for people aged 65 and older.
Work is underway to implement a 10 percent exemption on the assessed value of a volunteer firefighter or ambulance corps worker’s primary home.
Chairman Hood also announced that he will take special action in recognition of long-time County Legislator Harriet Cornell.
“I want to properly honor a member of our board, a person who has been here over 39 years and has put her heart and soul into all things Rockland,” Hood said. “Harriet Cornell has done so much for all of us and for the people of Rockland. We’re putting forth a rule change for 2023 creating a second vice chair position which I will nominate her for later this month. As Harriet completes her final year as legislator, it is only fitting she has such a position.”
