Putnam County Legislature adopts 2025 budget; funds nursing hires, sheriff positions and moves arts grant to contingency

The Putnam County Legislature adopted the county's 2025 budget on Oct. 29, 2024, approving appropriations that include salary upgrades for county nurses, a new criminal investigator position in the sheriff's office and a series of departmental cost-of-living adjustments. Lawmakers also moved a planned arts-council contribution into subcontingency for later release.

The budget resolution, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2025, was approved by the legislature after roll-call votes. Chairperson Young thanked the county auditor and finance staff during final remarks: "Our auditor Michelle Sharkey and her staff, Commissioner Mike Lewis, thank you for your hard work." The approved package does not change the county tax levy or tax rate, according to the legislature's motion adopting the budget.

Why it matters: The package shifts dollars to address staff shortages in public health and adds personnel for public safety, changes that officials said are necessary to maintain services. At the same time, the decision to place the arts-council contribution in subcontingency drew sustained debate among legislators and will delay release of that funding until further review.

Key approvals and debate - Nursing salaries: The legislature approved moving $70,560 into the budget for the health department to raise a supervising public health nurse salary and upgrade nurse pay across the…