Byrne Proposes Lowest Property Tax Rate Since ’07

County Executive Kevin Byrne, Acting Sheriff Brian Hess, and family of the late Sheriff Kevin McConville unveil a rendering of the proposed Kevin J. McConville Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Nelsonville Station during the Oct. 1 budget address at the Historic Courthouse in Carmel.

By Holly Crocco

In presenting his administration’s third county budget to the Putnam Legislature and the public Oct. 1 at the Historic Courthouse in Carmel, County Executive Kevin Byrne said the $221.7 million spending plan delivers the largest property tax cut in Putnam history – to the tune of $1 million.

“Last year, we continued all our previous tax cuts, kept the levy flat, and cut the property tax rate to its lowest level in 18 years,” he explained. “This year, we’re not just holding the line – we’re doing more.”

According to Byrne, this tax cut will slash the rate to 2.39, which is the lowest property tax rate since 2007.

“In this budget, we are collecting approximately $45 million from the county’s property tax levy, and our team is projecting an estimated $83.5 million in sales tax revenue,” he said.

The county executive said that savings could have been “devastatingly smaller” if not for the historic compromise forged between local and state government to preserve the long-established sales tax rate and share sales tax revenue with the county’s municipalities.

According to Byrne, had the additional 1 percent sales tax extension not been renewed by the state, the county would have lost more than $21 million in revenue. With that extension came the sales-tax sharing agreement, in which one-ninth of that 1 percent extension will be distributed back to Putnam’s six towns and three villages, with each guaranteed a minimum of $50,000 annually.

This equates to more than $2 million in new spending.

Byrne said part of the budget is driven by factors that are outside the county’s control, including inflation, energy costs, and unfunded mandates. It also includes the cost of delivering on commitments previously made by the county, such as overdue adjustments to employee salaries and benefits, and an increase to the county’s public insurance premiums. 

Perhaps most notably is a $4.7 million expense to pay down the remaining debt from acquiring the county golf course back in 2004. “By taking bold steps to pay off this debt now, Putnam County will save hundreds of thousands of dollars in future interest payments while simultaneously freeing itself of the cumbersome federal restrictions associated with these bonds – enabling the county to enter into more favorable, commercial-style contracts with its vendors in the future,” said Byrne.

He also addressed the “crushing weight of New York State’s tax climate.”

The Tax Foundation’s 2025 State Business Tax Climate Index ranks New York dead last – 50th out of all states, and the “Rich States, Poor States” report once again places New York at the very bottom, ranked 50th for economic outlook.

With this knowledge, Byrne said his administration took a hard look at the county’s own operations.

“From consolidating and centralizing purchasing across departments to putting delinquent foreclosed properties back on the tax rolls, this administration has consistently found ways to maximize the value of a dollar, and further protect taxpayers,” he said.

When interest rates skyrocketed, Byrne said the county chose to use its capital reserve fund to finance major projects instead of relying on more costly borrowing.

“That decision continues to save us millions in future interest payments and is accounted for in this proposed budget,” he said. “It also maintains our strong financial condition, which reflects positively on our county’s AA1 bond rating.”

To date, the county has drastically reduced its debt. 

“When we took office in 2023, the county was in a strong financial position but also had a long-term debt of over $51 million,” said Byrne. “This budget includes a large expenditure to pay off the bonds associated with the county golf course. And if we continue forward with our successful practice of limiting new borrowing, the county will have a projected long-term debt of $21.6 million by the end of next year.”

In addition, the county has seized opportunities to use its own workforce within the Department of Public Works to support major facility renovations, such as projects at Tilly Foster Farm, Peekskill Hollow Road, Sprout Brook Bridge in Continental Village, the new Lt. Michel Neuner Fire & EMS Training Facility, Veterans Memorial Park, and the County Office Building.

Other examples of how the county has saved by thinking outside the box include creation of the Department of General Services, which was established last year by merging purchasing, central services, and information technology into one streamlined department.

One initiative this new department has undertaken is shifting how the county manages its fleet of vehicles. Instead of purchasing cars outright, it has moved to a leasing model.

In addition, the programming and distribution of radios to support not only county agencies, but local fire, EMS, and police agencies as been completed.

“Putnam County did this because it could, and it was the right thing to do,” said Byrne. “Over $2.2 million was spent to distribute more than 400 radios to four local police departments, 13 fire agencies, and five EMS agencies with the vast majority of the programming being done in-house by county personnel.”

The county is also changing the way it delivers lifesaving medical services to vulnerable residents. Back in 2023, Putnam entered into a new contract for countywide Advanced Life Support services – being the first county government in New York to directly fund countywide paramedic services, sparing its towns and villages from shouldering that financial burden, which is now more than $3 million a year.

Now, the county is updating its current contract to launch a Community Paramedicine pilot program, which takes paramedics out of the traditional “respond and transport” model and empowers them to serve in expanded roles.

“These professionals will assist with public health, primary care, and preventive services right in people’s homes,” explained Byrne. “That means fewer unnecessary emergency calls and fewer costly ER visits, which not only equates to savings for taxpayers, but a better quality of life for our residents.”

The county executive said his administration is proving that local government can innovate and protect essential services while also putting money back into the pockets of taxpayers.

“That is what this budget does, and that is the standard this administration will continue to uphold,” he said.

Also during his address, Byrne took a moment to honor and reflect on the service of the late Sheriff Kevin McConville, who died last month, announcing that his administration is proposing legislation to dedicate and rename the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office substation in Nelsonville in McConville’s honor.

“This is more than a name on a building – it is a lasting tribute to a man who devoted his life to public safety, to his community, and to the values of integrity and service,” said Byrne. Future generations of deputies, residents, and visitors will see his name and be reminded of the standard he set and the legacy he left behind.”

To view the budget presentation, and supporting documents, visit www.putnamcountyny.gov/26budget.