The White Plains Common Council held a special meeting on April 22, 2025, to discuss the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Key highlights included the city's continued financial stability, with a maintained double A1 credit rating since 1988, and a proposed budget that reflects a 3.1% increase in total appropriations, amounting to $219.5 million.

The tax levy is set to increase by 3.4%, totaling $2.4 million, while the tax rate will rise by 2.49%. This translates to an additional $82 per year for a typical homeowner with a median assessed property value of $13,500. Notably, this marks the fourteenth consecutive year that the city has proposed a budget within New York State's property tax cap.

City officials emphasized that there would be no cuts to programs or services, maintaining the high level of service residents have come to expect. The budget also includes funding for five new positions—three police officers and two firefighters—continuing a trend of increasing public safety personnel over the past six years.

Efforts to enhance efficiency were highlighted, including the ongoing transition to LED lighting in city facilities and the pursuit of grants to offset tax-funded expenses. The budget anticipates $680,000 in revenue from cannabis sales tax, a new revenue source that was not budgeted in the previous year due to uncertainty in its collection.

The meeting also addressed concerns regarding rising pension costs, which have increased by 11% for both police and fire departments. This rise is attributed to state-mandated adjustments rather than local fiscal issues. The council members expressed a commitment to monitoring these expenses closely as they prepare for future budgets.

Overall, the proposed budget reflects a cautious yet optimistic approach to managing city finances while ensuring continued investment in public safety and infrastructure. The council plans to finalize the budget by May 30, 2025, as they continue to engage with the community on these important fiscal matters.