Putnam County lawmakers table district attorney grant and merit-bonus item after conflict and executive-session review

The Putnam County Legislature on Tuesday approved a criminal justice discovery reform grant for the District Attorney but tabled a related proposal for merit bonuses after a recusal and an executive-session review.

Legislators approved the grant portion of agenda item 6B but divided the question and later moved to table the merit-bonus portion to the audit committee in May for further review. Chairwoman Sage presided over the session.

The split came after a legislator announced a conflict of interest, saying their firm represents a municipality that would receive a partnership grant tied to the package and excusing themselves from the room. Following discussion the legislature briefly moved into executive session, then reconvened and amended a tabling motion so the merit-bonus portion would be considered at the audit committee meeting later in May.

Legislators said they needed more information before approving the bonuses. During debate members asked for additional details on budget lines and legacy cost implications; one figure discussed in the meeting for the proposed increase was $160,929 to budget line 54999, described in the meeting as an additional appropriation under consideration. The legislature’s county attorney provided confidential materials in executive session, according to remarks on the floor.

No formal approval of the merit bonuses occurred at Tuesday’s meeting. The legislature voted to table that portion and to reconvene review in the audit committee. A roll-call vote to table the item to the audit committee recorded multiple “yes” votes and the motion carried.

What happens next

The audit committee will receive further details about the…