City Council:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK
AUTHORIZING THE DISPENSATION WITH
THE TIME-IN-FINAL-FORM AND DESK TIME
REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT TO MUNICIPAL
HOME RULE LAW §20(4) IN CONNECTION WITH
A PROPOSED LOCAL LAW AUTHORIZING AN
OVERRIDE OF THE 2026 TAX LEVY LIMIT
Whereas, in correspondence dated December 18, 2025, the Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon, New York, transmitted to the City Council a written Message of Necessity requesting that the Council dispense with the time-in-final-form and desk time requirements with respect to a proposed local law authorizing an override of the 2026 tax levy limit; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 20 of the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law, a local law generally may not be acted upon by a legislative body until it has been in final form on the desks of the members of such body, or mailed to them, for the statutorily required period; and
WHEREAS, Section 20(4) of the Municipal Home Rule Law expressly provides that, in cases of necessity, the elective chief executive of a municipality may transmit a written message requesting that the legislative body dispense with such procedural requirements and permit immediate consideration and enactment of a local law; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon has transmitted to the City Council a written Message of Necessity requesting that the Council dispense with the time-in-final-form and desk time requirements with respect to a proposed local law authorizing an override of the 2026 tax levy limit; and
WHEREAS, immediate consideration and enactment of such proposed local law is necessary to ensure the continued operation of municipal government and the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the City of Mount Vernon; and
WHEREAS, timely adoption of the proposed local law is required to allow for the preparation, issuance, and transmittal of tax bills and to ensure the funding of essential governmental services; and
WHEREAS, any delay in the adoption of the proposed local law would jeopardize the City’s ability to meet critical operational, fiscal, and statutory obligations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK, THAT:
Section 1. Authority. Pursuant to Section 20(4) of the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law, the City Council hereby determines that a necessity exists requiring immediate consideration of the proposed local law authorizing an override of the 2026 tax levy limit.
Section 2. Dispensation With Procedural Requirements. The City Council hereby dispenses with the time-in-final-form and desk time requirements set forth in Section 20 of the Municipal Home Rule Law with respect to the proposed local law authorizing an override of the 2026 tax levy limit.
Section 3. Immediate Consideration Authorized. The City Council is hereby authorized to immediately consider and act upon the proposed local law authorizing an override of the 2026 tax levy limit, consistent with the Message of Necessity transmitted by the Mayor.
Section 4. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this Ordinance shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part thereof directly involved in the controversy.
Section 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council.