Laura Incalcaterra Communications Director Rockland County Legislature
Tax Rates & Levies Set, Home Rule Request For Sewer Authority
New City, NY (Dec. 29, 2025) – The Rockland County Legislature held its final meeting of 2025, fulfilling its obligations under county law by approving required tax rates and levies and advancing significant changes related to Rockland County Sewer District No. 1.
The Legislature first approved tax rates and levies for Rockland County and the towns of Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Orangetown, Ramapo, and Stony Point, including various taxable districts. These approvals enable each municipality to collect the revenue necessary to operate, pay employees, and provide essential services to residents.
Legislators also unanimously approved an $87.8 million capital project for Rockland County Sewer District No. 1, which serves Ramapo (excluding Suffern), Clarkstown (excluding Upper Nyack), and 150 units in Orangetown. The project involves major pumping station improvements designed to modernize infrastructure and enhance system reliability.
Only residents and businesses within the sewer district – 87,366 charge units – pay fees to support the district.
The estimated cost of the improvements is $40.74 for a one-family home and $71.89 for a two-family home in the Town of Ramapo, and $43.98 for a one-family home and $59.14 for a two-family home in the Town of Clarkstown. The estimated hookup fee for property owners is $250.
In addition, the Legislature unanimously voted to request home rule authority from the New York State Legislature to allow for the creation of the CR Clean Water & Sewer Authority, which would replace Rockland County Sewer District No. 1. State approval is required before the new authority can be established.
Under the proposal, the CR Authority would be governed by a nine-member voting board consisting of: one resident of the service area appointed by the County Executive; one resident approved by the County Legislature; the Supervisor of the Town of Ramapo; three residents of the service area appointed by the Ramapo Supervisor; the Supervisor of the Town of Clarkstown; and two residents of the service area appointed by the Clarkstown Supervisor.
Currently, sewer district budgets and capital projects require approval from the full County Legislature – including legislators who represent areas outside the district – followed by approval from the County Executive. Under the new authority, those decisions would be made directly by the Authority’s Board.
It is estimated that this streamlined governance structure could reduce the approval timeline for capital projects.
While Rockland County Sewer District No. 1 operates as a separate entity, it often relies on county-issued bonds to finance capital projects. Although these bonds benefit district residents, they also impact the county’s overall financial position and borrowing capacity. Under the proposed CR Authority, responsibility for issuing and repaying bonds would rest solely with the Authority.
Laura Incalcaterra
Communications Director
Rockland County Legislature
11 New Hempstead Road
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5184