SLATER ANNOUNCES NEXT STEPS IN HISTORIC SALES-TAX-SHARING PLAN

Distribution to towns and villages will begin December 1, delivering tax relief and critical infrastructure investments

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) announced the next phase of the historic sales-tax-sharing agreement he sponsored earlier this year, which will provide the largest property tax cut in Putnam County history while directing new revenue to towns and villages for infrastructure improvements.

Following Gov. Hochul’s signing of the legislation on August 7, intermunicipal agreements were delivered this week to each of Putnam County’s six towns and three villages. Beginning Dec. 1, one-ninth of the revenue generated by the county’s 1% sales tax will be distributed to local municipalities for projects such as roads, bridges, water systems, sidewalk repairs and more. The plan also guarantees at least $1 million in county property tax relief, as committed by County Executive Kevin Byrne.

“This is a huge win for Putnam County taxpayers,” said Slater. “When we passed this bill in June, it represented a new model of collaboration between state, county and local governments. This agreement will now deliver the largest property tax cut in county history while giving our towns and villages the resources they need to invest in infrastructure projects that Albany too often overlooks.”

Each municipality’s projected share will be detailed in County Executive Byrne’s budget address to the Putnam County Legislature on Oct. 1.

“We get things done in Putnam County because we work together for the betterment of the people we represent, with the underlying goal of every decision being to uplift our local communities. This historic agreement is the result of true collaboration. I couldn’t be prouder of our local Putnam County leaders, our state delegation and, of course, County Executive Kevin Byrne for spearheading this effort. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will have on taxpayers and our communities for years to come,” Slater continued.

“This administration has done more in the last three years to make Putnam County more affordable than any prior, but we couldn’t have done it alone,” said County Executive Kevin Byrne. “The success of the historic deal struck to distribute a portion of county sales-tax revenue will be remembered as a collaborative partnership among all levels of representative government —federal, state, and local—in order to provide tax relief where it matters. We’ve laid out a vision for a better, more affordable, more transparent local government that serves the needs of everyday residents. I’m grateful to all our state and federal representatives and am happy to see our towns and villages standing shoulder to shoulder with us in this mission to improve Putnam County together.”

Sen. Peter Harckham said, “This law is a great example of government working together. The County brought us an idea, and we were able to turn it into action. By sharing this revenue, we’re providing vital funding for critical local needs without placing an unfair burden on taxpayers, while also addressing the serious budget challenges facing our counties and municipalities. Thank you to my colleague Assemblymember Slater for his help in making this possible.”

Sen. Rob Rolison said, “This historic agreement is a win for Putnam County families, taxpayers and communities. By extending the sales tax and ensuring that revenue is shared with our towns and villages, we are strengthening local government and providing critical resources for essential services that residents rely on every day. This cooperative approach ensures fairness and transparency while helping to ease the burden on local property taxpayers. I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues in the Legislature, the County Executive, and local leaders to make this happen, and I look forward to seeing these dollars put to work improving quality of life across Putnam County.”

Assemblymember Dana Levenberg said, “I am so pleased to see Putnam County begin sharing its tax revenues with its municipalities. The Philipstown area that I represent generates a lot of this revenue through tourism, which can cause some challenges along with the benefits it brings. My constituents and their leaders at the local and county levels have been very keen to see some of this money returned to them. This was one of the first issues that was brought to me when I took office in 2023, and I am proud that we were all able to work together to get this agreement done.”