CARMEL – Putnam County Sheriff Brian Hess has outlined his department’s proposed $44.4 million 2027 budget before members of the county Legislature’s Protective Services Committee.
During his presentation, the county’s chief law enforcement officer commended personnel for “doubling arrests during 2026, increasing traffic stops by 18 percent and DWI arrests by 25 percent over 2025 while decreasing response times by 13 percent.”
Hess discussed the sheriff’s department’s successful goals for 2026 including closest car dispatch, civil division accreditation, and school camera accreditation.
Hess told committee members Tommy Regan, Toni Addonizio and Nancy Montgomery that the budget had increased by $4.35 million.
“A majority of that or $3.7 million is salary increases, fringe benefits and health benefits which we have no control over,” said Hess, who added, “That leaves a $676,000 increase. Take out $332,000 in county chargebacks—fleet, fuel, phone, postage, and copiers—which leaves us with an increase of $344,000 or less than a one percent increase in spending.”
The sheriff also talked about several new initiatives he hopes to achieve next year including a lease agreement for new police radios, a drone first responder program, body worn cameras, and the hiring of more special patrol officers.
On the other side, the sheriff said Putnam will be saving $25,000 because of the retirement of two canines, while consolidating the purchase of office and cleaning supplies under one contract, which also saves money.
The legislature continues to review the budget in committee with sessions planned for this evening and Thursday.
Meetings take place in Room 318 at the County Office Building in Carmel beginning at 6 p.m.
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