Putnam County Adopts 2027 Budget with 20% Property Tax Levy Reduction
The Putnam County Legislature has adopted its 2027 budget, reducing the county's property tax levy to $32.7 million, approximately 20% below the $40.9 million levy implied by the reported reduction.
The budget was approved October 28 following a four-hour legislative meeting during which lawmakers considered 50 resolutions and made several changes to County Executive Kevin Byrne's proposed $229 million spending plan.
Byrne's original proposal called for reducing the property tax levy from $45.2 million to $38.7 million. The legislature lowered the levy further to $32.7 million, using approximately $30 million from the county's fund balance to help offset expenses.
According to Legislature Chair Dan Birmingham, the reduction represents the county's largest property tax levy decrease in 20 years.
In addition to changes in administrative spending and staffing, the adopted budget includes funding for several community initiatives, including expanded transportation services in western Putnam County, improvements to the Depot Theatre in Garrison, and support for the Putnam Arts Council. Lawmakers also approved $15,000 for a study examining tourism's impact on local infrastructure and municipal services. Tourism generated more than $92 million in revenue in Putnam County in 2025, prompting discussions about balancing economic benefits with increased demands on roads, emergency services and other community resources.
The budget now moves to the county executive, who has the authority to veto individual legislative actions. Any veto override would require a two-thirds majority of the legislature.
The lower countywide tax levy could provide relief to Putnam property owners, although the impact on individual tax bills will depend on property assessments and other applicable tax levies.
Source: Mid-Hudson News, October 29, 2026
