The Rockland County Legislature convened its final meeting of 2025 on Monday, approving required tax rates and levies while also taking key steps toward restructuring the governance of Rockland County Sewer District No. 1.
During the meeting, legislators approved tax rates and levies for Rockland County and the towns of Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Orangetown, Ramapo, and Stony Point, along with various taxable districts. The approvals allow municipalities to collect the revenue needed to fund operations, pay employees, and continue providing essential services to residents.
The Legislature also unanimously approved an $87.8 million capital project for Rockland County Sewer District No. 1, which serves the Town of Ramapo (excluding Suffern), the Town of Clarkstown (excluding Upper Nyack), and approximately 150 units in Orangetown. The project includes major pumping station improvements aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure and improving system reliability.
Only residents and businesses within the sewer district — totaling 87,366 charge units — are responsible for supporting the district through sewer fees. Estimated costs for the improvements are projected at $40.74 for a one-family home and $71.89 for a two-family home in Ramapo, and $43.98 for a one-family home and $59.14 for a two-family home in Clarkstown. The estimated sewer hookup fee for property owners is $250.
In addition, legislators unanimously approved a request for 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 formally established.
Under the proposal, the new authority would be governed by a nine-member voting board, including representatives appointed by the County Executive, the County Legislature, and the Supervisors of the Towns of Ramapo and Clarkstown, along with residents from the sewer service area.
Currently, sewer district budgets and capital projects must be approved by the full County Legislature — including legislators representing areas outside the sewer district — and then by the County Executive. If the new authority is created, those decisions would instead be made directly by the Authority’s board, a change officials say could significantly reduce approval timelines 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 improvements, which can affect the county’s overall financial position and borrowing capacity. Under the proposed CR Clean Water & Sewer Authority, responsibility for issuing and repaying bonds would rest solely with the new authority, separating its financial obligations from the county’s balance sheet.