Fiscal Discipline

By Donald R. March

Westchester County needs fiscal discipline

The lack of fiscal discipline has translated into a greater burden for Westchester County's property owners. In the long-run, such increases are not sustainable. They will diminish the quality of life Westchester County's residents currently enjoy.

As County Legislator, I will work to restrain the growth in county spending and improve the delivery of county services by:

• Introducing program performance ratings: All major programs would be rated to determine how effectively tax dollars are being spent. To maximize public accountability, this information would be published regularly along with the county's budget documents. The ratings would be modeled after the Federal Government's ExpectMore.gov initiative.

• Use performance ratings to guide budgeting decisions: Westchester County has a fiduciary responsibility to its taxpayers to ensure that its services are delivered in an effective and efficient manner. Programs that are not performing effectively or for which results cannot be demonstrated would be among those targeted for reform or reduction.

• Focused Budget Planning: The budget process would consider the needs a program seeks to address and the size and duration of its net benefits. Programs that are performing effectively and serve important community needs or offer large future benefits to the community would be given priority in the budgeting process. Categories of programs that provide significant long-term recurring benefits include investments in education and infrastructure.