Putnam County Government:

Press release from the Putnam County Government:

March 11, 2022

Putnam County Executive

MaryEllen Odell

845-808-1001

March 11, 2022

In her final State of the County address on Thursday, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell catalogued the strength of the county’s fiscal position and laid out a path forward that will keep property taxes flat, increase the amount of sales tax the county shares with Putnam’s municipalities and equip the Sheriff’s Department with body cameras.

“Tonight, we set forth a vision laying the groundwork for a better quality of life for future generations, and its implementation will require our dedicated efforts through the remainder of our term,” said County Executive Odell, who is not seeking re-election. “We will continue to meet the challenge of fulfilling our fiscal and social responsibilities to our constituents right through our last day of public service.”

Odell’s first in-person State of the County Address since the pandemic began was delivered in the Historic Putnam County Courthouse before a packed crowd that included the Putnam County Legislature, county commissioners and employees, Sheriff’s Department officials and deputies and the public. Many of the attendees wore blue and gold ribbons in support of Ukraine.

The hallmark of her tenure has been fiscal responsibility.

“Under your leadership, the county has prospered enormously,” Putnam County Legislature Chair Neal Sullivan said. “You and your administration have worked tirelessly over the last ten and a half years to put the county in the best financial position it has been in for a long time, if not ever.”

Since Odell was first elected in November 2011, the county’s total outstanding debt has decreased by nearly $41 million, its unassigned fund balance increased by almost $50 million, the Putnam County bond rating shot up to the highest level achievable by NYS counties, Aa1, and every annual budget was within the state-mandated property tax cap.

“In fact, due to our strong financial position we intend to submit a 2023 County Budget for consideration by the Legislature that freezes the real property tax levy,” Odell said. “We will not propose a tax cut that will create future budget problems, but maintain our responsible, conservative budgeting approach to balance our social and fiscal responsibilities.”

The county’s strong financial position has enabled it to make investments in the future, including a new plan called “Share the Growth,” in which the county will increase the amount of the sales tax it shares with Putnam’s six towns and three villages based on the county’s sales tax revenue growth. The funds must be used for infrastructure and will be distributed based on population. Because they are tied to the amount of growth, the funds cannot be counted as a regular revenue stream.

Odell and her administration worked on the plan over the course of a few weeks with Town of Philipstown Councilman Jason Angell and Village of Cold Spring Trustee Eliza Starbuck.

“This new approach focuses on the growth in sales taxes and represents a partnership between the county and local governments,” Angell said. “This is a legacy accomplishment for Putnam County to share taxes in the growth years and build an economy where everyone benefits.”

Odell also noted that the county will receive $19.1 million in funds from American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA.

“We will be looking to make infrastructure investments in mental health, substance abuse, food insecurity, clean water, roads, bridges, and buildings that will aid in the recovery from the COVID 19 pandemic,” Odell said. “We have secured the services of a consultant to help ensure that a final allocation plan complies with the US Treasury final rule.  We believe that these investments should strengthen the County for future generations, as they will be paying for ARPA.”

The county received more requests for ARPA projects than it can fund and so will allocate money to the local municipalities to complete the projects.

“Therefore, tonight, we are recommending that the County Legislature allocate $ 10 million ($ 5 million from ARPA funding, and $ 5 million from the sales tax allocation plan) to be sent to our local towns and villages based on population’ according to the 2020 Federal Census,” Odell said. “Each Legislator and the municipalities that they represent will need to develop a spending plan to accomplish the completion of projects within the allocations  provided in the table below.”

In other matters, Odell said that the county would equip the Sheriff’s Department deputies with body cameras.

“These body cameras will protect the safety of both our police and the public,” Sheriff Kevin McConville said.

Odell thanked Putnam County Health Commissioner Dr. Michael J. Nesheiwat for his leadership during the COVID pandemic, the Emergency Services Department for its preparedness in weather events and other emergencies and gave an emotional thank you to her staff.

“As we are very blessed to have an incredible team, there is a member of our team that I would like to acknowledge for his almost 30 years of service to Putnam County,” Odell said. “Bill Carlin, our Commissioner of Finance, has been the guiding light for fiscal responsibility.

“He has always understood the importance of balancing our social responsibility and fiscal responsibility as government leaders.

“Putnam County has endured many challenges. That’s for sure. Putnam County has endured many successes. That’s for sure.

“As such, I would ask that we include in the record this evening that Bill Carlin has always risen above and served with distinction. Bill Carlin is absolutely the true definition of public servant.

“Thank you, Bill, for your leadership. We are grateful to have not only called you a colleague, but a true friend.”

To end the evening, Odell took a moment to focus on world events.

“Finally, I’m going to close tonight by thanking all the people of Putnam County for entrusting to me the honor and privilege of being your County Executive,” Odell said.

“I ask that you please continue to pray for the innocent and beautiful families and brave soldiers fighting for independence in Ukraine,” she said. “Pray for the safety of the people in Poland and Hungary and the other Eastern European countries who are standing in solidarity against Russia and the tyranny of Putin. Pray for Peace, and God Bless our Putnam County and God Bless these United States.”

This press release was produced by the Putnam County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.