CARMEL – Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne outlined a proposed $229 million budget for next year, a fiscal spending plan that would reduce the property tax levy from $45.2 million to $38.7 million, or $6.5 million, a reduction of more than 14 percent. 

The 80-minute budget presentation took place before members of the county legislature on Monday evening, and a full house gathered at the historic Putnam Courthouse in Carmel.

A public hearing followed that did not conclude until 10:30 p.m.

Byrne is seeking reelection next month against Democrat Brett Yaris and Conservative Tatiana Brahimi.

Byrne told the audience that a budget was more than a financial document. 

“It is a statement of our priorities. It reflects the choices we make about how government operates; how taxpayer dollars are spent, and what kind of county we want to leave behind. And for four years, our priorities have remained consistent; to provide a more affordable, accountable, accessible, county government that serves us all.”

He talked about the challenges ahead in the wake of uncertainty coming from Washington. “Good budgeting requires us to look beyond the next year. It requires us to anticipate what may be coming around the corner, to prepare for the things we cannot predict, and to make sure Putnam County is strong enough to weather whatever storm may come our way.”

The executive budget also accounts for Byrne’s proposal to make Putnam County’s sales-tax exemption on qualifying clothing and footwear purchases under $110 permanent. “Think about what that means for a family. School clothes for your children. A new pair of work boots. Sneakers. A winter coat. These aren’t luxury purchases. They are necessities. And sales tax can be regressive. They affect us all, but disproportionately impact working people, seniors on fixed incomes, and those who can least afford another few dollars added to every purchase,” he said.

The budget also continues the county’s commitment to sharing sales-tax revenue with its six towns and three villages.

Byrne went one step further by proposing that Putnam County take $6.5 million already appropriated in the 2026 budget and distribute it among the towns and villages for investments in local infrastructure and other eligible costs that can reduce pressure on local taxpayers such as roads, dams, bridges, culverts, equipment, facilities, sewer, and water projects that have to be paid for through local property taxes.

He said “the money has already been budgeted, the model for distribution exists, the need is there. All that’s required now is the political will to get it done.”

Byrne talked about mental health and the county’s establishing a special fund of more than $2 million to support mental and behavioral health services for children, families, county employees, first responders, and residents experiencing a mental-health crisis.

One of Yarris’ goals if elected is to lobby Albany for the creation of a Putnam Community College.

In his speech, Byrne talked about Putnam’s current partnership with Dutchess Community College. “We are already working with our friends at DCC to feature and expand hybrid and remote-learning opportunities to Putnam County students, including expanding partnerships with our libraries and other community institutions so residents who face transportation, internet access, technology or scheduling barriers know they can still participate in college courses.”

Byrne continued that Putnam’s challenge is not to “build something new. Sometimes our job is to simply connect. SUNY Dutchess, Westchester, Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES, and the trades all offer opportunities to our students. They have great records and reputations, and I will push back hard against those who would seek to dismiss or diminish the opportunities they provide for our young people.”

When it comes to sanctuary policy, Byrne described Putnam as a “rule of law county. Pro criminal policies coming out of Albany, like cashless bail, combined with years of failed immigration policy out of Washington, have real consequences for communities like ours.”

The executive said his administration supports the police. “We respect the law. And we cooperate with our federal, state and local law-enforcement partners, including federal immigration authorities, to keep dangerous criminals off our streets,” he said. “Immigration policy may be debated in Washington, but protecting the people of Putnam County is our responsibility and whether someone was born in Brewster or came here from halfway around the world, the standard is the same: Obey the law, respect your neighbors, and if you victimize people in our community, expect our law enforcement officers to hold you accountable. Public safety will always come before politics in Putnam County. We prioritize victims and their families over career criminals.”

Beginning Wednesday, members of the county Legislature begin reviewing Byrne’s budget line-by-line in committee, a process expected to take two to three weeks.



Original article