Rockland and Putnam Take Different Approaches to County Property Tax Relief
Property taxes remain a significant consideration for homeowners and prospective buyers across the Hudson Valley, and neighboring Rockland and Putnam counties are taking different approaches to providing tax relief in 2027.
In Rockland County, County Executive Ed Day has proposed a $964.8 million budget that would include no increase in County property taxes. If approved by the County Legislature, it would mark the sixth consecutive year without a County property tax increase. According to the County Executive, County property taxes have been reduced by a total of 4 percent during that period.
In Putnam County, lawmakers recently considered a more aggressive approach: eliminating the County property tax levy entirely for one year.
The proposal, described as a “tax levy timeout,” was raised in response to Putnam County’s substantial fund balance. Legislators ultimately rejected the idea, citing concerns about using reserves to fund a temporary tax break and the potential impact on the County’s long-term financial position.
Lawmakers also noted that a one-year suspension would benefit all taxpayers, including large property owners such as New York City, which owns watershed property in Putnam County, and utility companies.
The discussion included a look back at Rockland County’s experience in 1987, when the County used surplus funds to eliminate its property tax levy for one year. Putnam legislators cited the financial challenges Rockland faced in subsequent years as one reason to favor a more gradual approach to tax relief.
Putnam County has already reduced its tax levy by $1 million for 2026, resulting in a County property tax rate of $2.39, its lowest in nearly 20 years. Other tax relief measures under consideration include extending the County’s gas tax relief and making its sales tax exemption on clothing and footwear under $110 permanent.
For REALTORS® and their clients, both discussions provide useful context about local housing costs. County property taxes represent only one portion of a homeowner’s total property tax bill, which can also include school, town, village and other local taxes. However, decisions about County tax levies and long-term fiscal policy remain important factors in the overall cost of living and owning a home in the region.
Both counties’ actions also demonstrate the different approaches local governments can take to balancing immediate tax relief with longer-term fiscal stability.
Sources: Rockland County and Mid Hudson News
