Last night, I had the privilege of delivering my final State of the City Address to a full house at New Rochelle City Hall. Please read or view the speech to see why I believe this is New Rochelle’s “golden hour, in which all things seem possible.” Special thanks to our communications team for putting together this wonderful video, with images connected to the speech’s words and themes.
The City Council has unanimously adopted a budget for 2023. The budget reflects New Rochelle’s strong financial position — it maintains our healthy fund balance, adheres to the State tax cap, provides for additional public safety personnel, and continues a significant multi-year investment in roads, parks, and other capital priorities. As an amendment to the City Manager’s original proposal from last month, the final budget also includes enhanced resources to promote environmental sustainability and maintain green infrastructure.
City Manager Chuck Strome has released his proposed budget for 2023. The City Council will review the budget carefully in the weeks ahead, accept public comment, and entertain potential amendments prior to adopting a final budget in December.
In broad strokes, the budget reflects New Rochelle’s strong fiscal position and growing economy, with significant investment in capital and infrastructure needs, enhancement of core services, a robust fund balance, and a proposed tax rate within the New York State tax cap.
There’s more in this press release, and here’s the full budget.
New Rochelle’s economy has recovered from the COVID pandemic, and then some. Final figures for 2021 show taxable sales at more than $1.5 billion, the highest level in our history and a whopping 23% year-to-year increase from 2020. (This also represents a nearly-as-impressive 22% increase over pre-pandemic 2019 figures.) Ongoing economic development should extend this positive trend, as new population generates demand for goods and services, and attracts additional businesses to our community.
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides unprecedented support to communities like New Rochelle, and we are determined to utilize this valuable funding to achieve a comprehensive recovery, with a special focus on strengthening our social, physical, and economic infrastructure. Today, New Rochelle is launching a new website that offers detailed information to the public and a user-friendly access point for stakeholders and partners seeking grants. Eligible agencies and businesses are encouraged to participate in this important opportunity. More in this press release.
It’s not a good idea just yet for us to gather in a big crowd at City Hall for a traditional State of the City Address, so, instead, I recorded a message to report on the opportunities and challenges confronting New Rochelle, and on the progress we have made together as a community. Please watch a video of the speech or read my remarks.
Even through the worst of the pandemic, New Rochelle kept making big strides on the essential priorities that will shape our future. When it comes to our economy and our budget, our environment and our neighborhoods, and our commitment to the dignity and worth of all people, we are poised to emerge from the crisis with fresh momentum and a renewed sense of possibility and optimism. The State of our City is strong.