CARMEL, NY – Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne today signed the 2026 County Budget into law, resulting in historic savings for taxpayers over the first three years of Byrne’s tenure in office. Among other things, the 2026 budget includes a $1 million cut to Putnam County’s property-tax levy, as promised, delivering the largest property tax cut in county history.

The $229 million spending plan accounts for approximately $7 million in new spending passed by the Legislature. It also extends other Byrne initiatives such as extending targeted sales tax cuts through a one-year extension of tax-free purchases on clothing and shoes under $110, both online and in-store. For the first time, the budget also provides for the sharing of a modest portion of sales-tax revenues, estimated to total about $2.3 million in 2026, with all Putnam County towns and villages. Municipalities can use the additional revenue to fund infrastructure improvements. This is Byrne’s third county budget that provides tax relief, totaling over $10 million in total savings to taxpayers over three years (three years of targeted sales tax cuts totaling more than $7.5 million and three years of cuts to the tax levy totaling approximately $2.5 million from FY24-FY26). The signed budget resolutions can be viewed on the county’s website.

Highlights of the FY2026 budget’s affordability agenda are below:

• $1 million reduction to the county property-tax levy
• $2.3 million in real revenue sharing with Putnam County towns and villages for local tax relief and infrastructure
• $2.5 million in anticipated benefit from tax-free purchases on all clothing and shoes under $110, both online and at brick-and-mortar outlets
• Driving the property-tax rate down to 2.39, pre-recession levels and the lowest rate in nearly 20 years
• Cutting long-term debt by 58% by limiting new borrowing, reducing future reliance on taxes

“This bold plan delivers millions of dollars in tax relief to Putnam County residents, makes critical investments in the health and safety of our families, and increases transparency and accountability so that taxpayers can check our work,” said Byrne. “Our affordability agenda for Putnam County delivers real relief where it matters. Since taking office, our administration has found new and creative ways to improve services, enhance efficiency, and save local taxpayers more than $10 million. That’s real money in the pockets of our residents and a commitment I’m proud to continue through 2026.”

As Putnam County’s top elected official, County Executive Byrne has never raised taxes. His more recent record on delivering property tax relief at the county level is preceded by his years of service in the state legislature where he effectively delivered a permanent property tax cap, $4 billion in tax cuts to middle and lower-income class earners, the suspension of use taxes on gasoline diesel fuel, and the elimination of taxes on other essential purchases.

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