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Putnam County committee approves fund transfer, preschool budget amendment and solid‑waste grant application
Summary
The committee approved a state‑fund transfer to cover CIT training backfill, advanced a preschool (ages 3–5) budget amendment to the audit committee and approved submission of a DEC grant application to fund a full‑time solid‑waste coordinator (50% reimbursement).
The Putnam County Health, Social, Educational and Environmental Committee on Sept. 5 approved three procedural funding actions and advanced two items for later committee review.
Fund transfer for CIT backfill: The committee approved a motion to transfer funds within social services to cover backfill and overtime for deputies attending Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. Kristen Warner, introduced as finance staff, said the county supplements a state allowance of $1,500 per officer; Warner said 16 deputies are scheduled for an upcoming CIT class. The motion was made, seconded and approved when the chair called for ‘Aye.’
Preschool (ages 3–5) budget amendment: Health‑department staff including Bill Orr (finance manager) and Valerie Kurtz (pre‑K supervisor) described fiscal pressures in the school‑based program. They said enrollment in center‑based preschool rose from 91 to 106 children (15 additional placements), with an average per‑child cost of about $44,000 per year — an increase that staff estimated would add roughly $660,000 for 2024. Staff also cited prior‑year rate adjustments (estimated $100,000–$120,000) and new itinerant nursing costs for medically fragile children. The committee moved the budget amendment to the audit committee; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Grant application for solid‑waste coordinator position: The committee approved submission of a grant application to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that would reimburse 50% of the salary and fringes for a full‑time solid‑waste coordinator. Shanna Siegel, supervising public health educator, said the position would update the county’s solid‑waste management plan, support waste‑reduction and climate‑smart goals and help consolidate services across towns. The committee voted to approve applying for the reimbursement program.
No roll‑call tallies with individual member votes were included in the transcript; each motion was announced, seconded and carried on a voice “Aye.”
