CARMEL – It is a sign of the times as for the first time in years, Putnam sales tax dollars have declined for two consecutive months.

Commissioner of Finance William Carlin released the county’s initial sales tax report for February 2026 Wednesday that indicated $5,767,552 was collected during the 29-day period as compared to $5,833,205 in February of last year.

Combined with the $244,000 deficit in sales tax dollars collected in January year to year, Putnam finds itself more than $300,000 in the red over projections.

The shortfall follows the December 2025 sales tax windfall of $9.4 million — the most ever collected in any one month in Putnam County.

Despite the downward spiral, the county’s six towns and three villages have received sales tax distribution that was approved by the lawmakers in 2025.

To date, Carmel has received $30,819; Kent–$11,841; Patterson–$10,593; Philipstown–$6,628; Putnam Valley–$10,796; Southeast–$14,273; Brewster–$2,302; Cold Spring–$1,823 and Nelsonville–$573 for a total of $89,648.

Last year, Putnam collected $86 million in sales tax dollars and this year Putnam has projected $83.5 million in sales tax by year’s end.