CARMEL – Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne has introduced a budget reallocation plan designed to streamline county government and centralize the services administered by the county executive. Republican and Democratic county legislators approved the plan on Wednesday evening. The plan is slated to save more than $60,000 annually.
The first part of Byrne’s plan creates two positions, a Director of Communications and a Director of Compliance and Intergovernmental Relations. At the same time, it eliminates two positions, the Director of Constituent Services in the County Executive’s Office, and an unfilled Purchaser position in the Purchasing Department. The work of these positions is being reassigned to different individuals in the County Executive’s Office, including the Deputy County Executive, who will receive increased compensation as a result.
“When I was elected, I was given a mandate from the residents of Putnam County to govern in an open and responsible manner,” Byrne said. “Being able to make some key personnel changes in my first weeks in office will be enormously helpful in finding creative solutions to problems, and save taxpayer dollars.”
Calling the approved proposal an “important budget transfer package,” Byrne thanked Legislature Chairman Paul Jonke and all who voted in favor of the initiative. “The public display of bipartisanship is refreshing and will help enable us to restructure positions, compensation and save the residents of Putnam County thousands of dollars in the process.”
“This move saves taxpayers over $64,000. Plain and simple,” said Chairman Jonke. “I applaud our new County Executive for finding an opportunity for real savings so early in his term. And quite honestly, he deserves to be able to structure his executive staff as he sees best fit to serve this county. I’m encouraged and excited for what’s next for our community.”
County Legislature Minority Leader Nancy Montgomery approved the plan. “I am encouraged by the creation of executive positions assigned to communications, compliance, and intergovernmental relations,” she said. “I applaud the County Executive’s bipartisan approach in including me, the minority leader, in these negotiations. Establishing these areas as administrative priorities and values is a great start and I am eager to be part of setting the same tone in the legislature.”
