Rockland County, Orangetown voters to decide on propositions
Rockland County voters will weigh a proposed county charter amendment, while Orangetown voters will also decide whether to establish a community preservation fund through a real estate transfer tax.
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Rockland County voters will see Proposition 1 on their ballots this Election Day. If approved, the measure would amend the county charter, the document that outlines how county government operates.
"I hope the people review it and make an educated decision. I believe it will pass. I think it's a good thing," said Jay Hood Jr., chairman of the Rockland County Legislature.
According to Hood, the proposal includes several changes, which people can read more about here.
One example is that county executive appointments would require legislative approval or would be denied. In the past, appointments would have been automatically approved.
Also, a three-member committee made up of the County Legislature chair, minority leader, as well as budget and finance chair, would review contracts valued between $100,000 and $250,000.
Hood said that review process would remain public. He said the measure would help with efficiency.
"It really streamlines probably about 100, maybe a little more than 100 contracts. It would free up our attorneys, free up our clerks to do other work, because that's the other point with efficiency...the attorneys won't have to work on these resolutions so they can work on other things," Hood said.
Orangetown voters will also decide the fate of the town's community preservation fund. If approved, the measure would authorize Orangetown to collect a one-time fee of three-tenths of one percent as a real estate transfer tax from property buyers.
The money could only be used to protect land from development.
More information on it can be found here.
"This is just another tool of the town board to help us be able to preserve what is so wonderful here in Orangetown," said Orangetown Supervisor Teresa Kenny.
Kenny also shared potential plans for the former Children's Psychiatric Center property.
If the town were to acquire the site from the state, it could be used for a community and recreation center according to town board documents from February 2026.
