WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications (Edited) August 20,2010:

Westchester County government will save approximately $21 million next year due to incentive programs that so far have prompted about 450 employees to voluntarily resign or retire.

"The incentive programs have allowed us to trim $21 million from next year's projected deficit," said County Executive Robert P. Astorino, who proposed the government participate in the county and state incentive plans. "But even with these and other planned savings, an enormous budget gap of approximately $72 million remains. The toughest budget decisions are still in front of us, but taxpayers must get relief. I am committed to submitting a balanced budget for 2011 with no tax increase."

Deficit Update

Approximately 450 former county employees who have opted into the county or state incentive plan and left county employment. An additional 20 to 30 more voluntary retirements are expected later this year under the state's Part B incentive.

The $21 million projected thus far from the state and county voluntary separation programs represents net savings. The figure assumes that approximately 20 percent of the employees who leave under the programs will have to be replaced to maintain operations. The $21 million breaks down as $7 million from the county voluntary separation and $14 million from the state incentive. Those figures, which had fluctuated earlier in the year as employees exercised their options to enter, withdraw or switch programs, are close to being finalized with the closing of the county program and the more significant part of the state program.

In March, Westchester's budget and finance departments, in consultation with the county's outside auditor, projected a 2011 budget deficit of $166 million. Since then, initiatives and measures by the Astorino administration have produced in-hand savings of $50 million. Another $44 million in savings are anticipated. Assuming those savings are realized, a gap of approximately $72 million remains, which could require the elimination of about 720 jobs. All of the county's commissioners and department heads have been given a target to reduce the tax levy portion of their respective budgets by 20 percent.