The 2012 proposed budget, which the Rockland County Legislature approved by a 12 to 4 vote on Tuesday night, was delivered to County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef early this afternoon. He has five days to act upon it. The Clerk to the Legislature Laurence O’Toole had to certify that votes were taken on the 22 resolutions and two local laws before the budgetary documents could be forwarded.
“We gave it to him today,” said Legislative Counsel Ricardo McKay. “The first day you count is tomorrow.”
By law, the had to adopt a budget by today, Dec. 7. Vanderhoef has until the end of business on Wednesday, Dec. 14 to take one of several actions. He can veto the entire budget, which includes a 30 percent property tax increase, 3/8 of a percent sales tax hike and 40 job cuts. Vanderhoef can veto certain line items and approve others or he can do nothing, which would result in the revised budget being implemented.
McKay said if the county executive returns a “negative statement” to the legislature either a veto of the entire budget or specific line items, the legislature must meet again.
“We have no later than Dec. 20 to have another meeting of the full legislature,” he said.
Under that scenario, legislators would have to vote on an override of any veto. The next full legislative meeting is slated for Monday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
