Peekskill's contribution to the county tax levy will decrease by about 2.6 percent in 2013, likely providing a modest tax break for White Plains residents after the new year.
However, Cortlandt residents will see a slight increase of 1.6 percent, according to numbers released by the Westchester County Executive's Office today.
County Executive Robert Astorino released a municipality-by-municipality breakdown of the county's tax contributions Friday. While the recently approved county budget's tax levy is zero, differences in property value assessments from community to community create discrepencies in the amount owed within each muncipality.
Mt. Vernon will enjoy the biggest decrease at 7.67 percent. In total, 14 communities will see their tax levy decrease next year and 11 will see an increase. The biggest increase was in Rye, at 7.46 percent.
The $1.7 billion county budget has a property tax levy of $548 million in 2013, the same amount as in 2012.
"The county has done its job to hold the line on our county property tax," Astorino said in a statement. "However, every year the county tax levy affects local governments differently."
County taxes account for between 15 and 20 percent of the average property owner's tax bill, about 60 percent of taxes are paid to local schools and approximately 20 percent goes to local government.
Local municipalities receive their tax bills from the county in the spring and handle collection of bills, which are usually due toward the end of April. While the county hands the tax levy down to local governments, it does not determine the exact tax rate handed down to taxpayers.
Tax Contribution Changes by Community (Increases in Bold)
Municipality Estimated Change City of Mt. Vernon - 7.67 percent City of New Rochelle -2.53 percent City of Peekskill -2.63 percent City of Rye +7.46 percent City of White Plains -6.07 percent City of Yonkers -3.19 percent Town of Bedford +2.51 percent Town of Cortlandt +1.60 percent Town of Eastchester -0.98 percent Town of Greenburgh +2.10 percent Town of Harrison +5.73 percent Town of Lewisboro -5.56 percent Town of Mamaroneck +5.16 percent Town of Mt. Kisco -1.54 percent Town of Mt. Pleasant +1.22 percent Town of New Castle -0.45 percent Town of North Castle +3.25 percent Town of North Salem +0.90 percent Town of Ossining -5.0 percent Town of Pelham -2.52 percent Town of Pound Ridge +0.83 percent Town of Rye -3.74 percent Town of Scarsdale +6.33 percent Town of Somers -3.18 percent Town of Yorktown -2.17 percent