The Westchester Brief 2.5.26: $3 a Month Won't Fix This: The Real Story Behind Westchester's 2026 Budget

Send us Fan MailCounty Executive Jenkins signed a $2.5B budget with 180 job cuts and 8% department slashes. Jim Jockle breaks down what the tax hike actually buys you.FULL EPISODE DESCRIPTION:Three dollars a month. That's what the county says your property taxes are going up. Sounds manageable until you see what they had to cut to get there.This week, County Executive Ken Jenkins signed Westchester's 2026 budget after staring down a $197.7 million hole. The causes? A $17 million annual revenue loss from MGM's casino withdrawal and federal policy chaos that made long-term planning nearly impossible. The solution? Slash every department by 8%, eliminate 180 positions, and still raise taxes.Jim Jockle unpacks what this budget actually means for the services you rely on, why the Board of Legislators deserves partial credit, and what happens when next year looks even worse.Also in this episode: Westchester housing inventory hits a historic low with just 455 single-family homes on the market. Playland's future grows more uncertain as the county launches a nonprofit to shore up the park. And the new Westchester Economic Alliance signals long-range thinking about the county's competitive future.This is local news that affects your wallet, your property value, and the services your family depends on.Support the showI Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.Have a guest suggestion or want to partner with us?Email: [email protected]: www.iliveheremedia.comFollow us on Instagram: @iliveheremediaSubscribe, rate, and share to support local storytelling.