CARMEL – Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne took office in January and has already begun implementing changes in county government, including a reorganizing initiative that realized immediate savings of more than $100,000.
Prior to being elected to his current position, Byrne served in the State Assembly.
“It is also important that we cement our county’s commitment to the United States Constitution,” he said. “These paste several years tested many of our constitutional rights and individual liberties. We cannot simply wash away or ignore federal or state laws we dislike, but we can via resolution, redeclare our county support of our nation’s governing document and become a constitutional county.”
Byrne immediately addressed the state lawmakers for increased costs. “It is no secret that we live in an area of the country with one of the highest costs of living, and with a state government that continues to unapologetically tax, regulate, and mandate its citizens and their local governments nonstop,” he said.
Calling on state officials that represent Putnam, including State Senator Rob Rolison, Byrne pleaded for lawmakers to protect existing funding. “Devastating policies are emerging from this year’s state budget process, and it is imperative that we ask you to push back on the Governor’s overreach to override local zoning and decision making, as well as her plan to divert federal Medicaid dollars (also known as eFMAP) from those most vulnerable in our community.”
Byrne and his staff have identified other cost savings by re-evaluating the county government’s utility contracts and are expected to lock in rates below market value, with an estimated savings of $185,000 in gas and electric bills for county buildings. He also indicated that every new contract will be negotiated and existing ones will be further scrutinized.
The message did come with the announcement of the impending retirement of three key officials; Interim Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Nesheiwat, Commissioner of Finance Bill Carlin, and Mental Health and Department of Social Services Commissioner Mike Piazza. He credited Dr. Nesheiwat with helping Putnam achieve the rank of “Healthiest County in the State” in 2022. Carlin was credited with Putnam County’s bond rating of Aa1, which is the highest of any county in the state. Piazza earned praise for working with law enforcement to recover more than $220,000 of taxpayer money stolen through welfare fraud.
Reviving the “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” initiative that works to change the perceptions individuals, governments, and businesses have toward those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Working with Piazza, Byrne announced his intention to create a new position in county government; the coordinator of the Office for Individuals with Disabilities. The position will help caregivers navigate the system to assist those who are differently-abled and is funded from two currently vacant part-time positions in the department.
Addressing the mental health and addiction issues suffered by some, Byrne announced a push for the opening of the Putnam County Stabilization Center, modeled after the highly-successful center in Dutchess County. ” The facility will be a 24/7 mental health crisis facility that specializes in diverting people from our hospital and the criminal justice system, connecting individuals with services they need. It’s smart, it makes fiscal sense, and it’s the right thing to do to get people the help and services they need,” Byrne said.
The county legislators present for the address learned that Byrne will be asking them for $2 million in funding to make long-overdue and necessary repairs and improvements to the county’s buildings and facilities that he said are in serious need.
The freshman county executive also announced plans for more transparency in county government by making budget documents available on the county’s website. The budget website will provide accurate explanations of the county budget in laymen’s terms. He also announced several updates to the county’s main website to make the government accountable and transparent.
