CARMEL – The Putnam Legislature adopted a budget for fiscal year 2027 Wednesday night carrying a $32.7 million tax levy following an arduous four-hour meeting.
County Executive Kevin Byrne’s proposed $229 million budget for next year, called for the reduction of the property tax levy from $45.2 million to $38.7 million.
Legislature Chair Dan Birmingham said $30 million in fund balance helped lower the tax levy by 20 percent to $32.7 million — the largest reduction in 20 years.
While the budget bodes well for Putnam taxpayers, it was Byrne and his staff who took it on the chin.
A total of 50 resolutions were discussed by the nine-member governing body at the historic Putnam Courthouse during the meeting—data discussed during the past two and one-half weeks by the lawmakers while reviewing Byrne’s budget with a fine-toothed comb.
Birmingham told his colleagues in 2022 when former County Executive Mary Ellen Odell left office, the executive’s office held a budget of $395,000 compared to Byrne’s proposed budget for 2027 at $713,000.
The legislature adjusted the county executive’s salary for next year from $191,000 to $175,000. They also removed the cost-of-living adjustment from the deputy county executive, reducing his salary from the current $172,500 to $167,000.
After extensive discussion, lawmakers eliminated Byrne’s $154,965 Director of Communications position and created a Director of Communication Services position for Putnam County under legislative control.
The Director of Compliance position was also moved from the executive’s office to the county attorney’s office.
The budget also received approval for a three percent increase for the Putnam Arts Council; creation of Putnam on Demand for the western side of the county; approval of funding for the Depot Theater elevator in Garrison; funding for the Putnam Wellness Coalition, 911 Diversion training and an enhanced Employee Assistance Program.
Byrne now has the opportunity to veto any of the resolutions approved by the legislature which would need a two-thirds majority of the legislature to override.
Comments