WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL-CHRONICLE EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. September 19, 2007: At this evening's Common Council Special Meeting, the Sales Tax 1/2 Per Cent increase resolution will be discussed. On Election Night, Benjamin Boykin,  one of three Nominee-Elects declared to WPCNR the Budget and Management Committee would be looking at all financial issues going forward, and that he expected the Mayor (Joseph Delfino) to comply with Assemblyman Adam Bradley's request for a substantiation of why White Plains needs the $10 Million plus injection of revenue the half percent increase would bring to the city.

Assemblyman Bradley said he needs that substantiation to sell the home rule legislation to his colleagues in Albany. Boykin held forth to WPCNR on how the Council will treat financials of the city and the coming budget in the next few months. Bradley told WPCNR he needed a justification rationale before he can submit legislation in January.

WPCNR: “Are you going to look at the (next) city budget a lot more carefully in coming months?”

Boykin: “We constantly look at the city’s budget. We constantly are aware of issues that effect the city’s financing moving forward. And we’ll do what is necessary to keep our property taxes low and to come forward with a reasonable budget.”

WPCNR: “When will you convene the Budget and Management Committee again?”

Boykin: “I don’t know when the next meeting will be.”

WPCNR: “After November 6 (Election Day)?”

Boykin: “The meeting will take place at some point.”

I pointed out that Assemblyman Adam Bradley hoped for financial justification from the city administration  for the need for the half-per cent sales tax.

Boykin: “He wants a projection of the long term finances, of what there may be any budget gaps and it’s an important issue that he be given (those projections).”

WPCNR: What do you think you can do to facilitate that?

Boykin:   “He has asked the Mayor for that information and I expect the Mayor to comply with that request.”