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“This presentation tonight – there’s no fluff, there’s no nonsense," Odell said at the start. "It’s all facts and all verifiable."
The budget represents a spending increase of $2.5 million, or 1.75 percent from 2014. Odell also touted the drop in general fund surplus spending to support the budget. The 2015 proposal is to use $2.85 million, representing the third straight annual decline in surplus appropriation.
Tax burden was noted in the presentation. The average homeowner in Putnam, with a $261,219 assessment, would be $13 more, or a total county tax of $919.
Sales taxes make up the largest revenue source, at $54.7 million, with property taxes second at $40.6 million.
Most county expenses are mandated, according to Odell, which come from the state and federal governments. In total, 71 percent of the budget, or $103.3 million, is for mandated programs. Medicaid was named as an example.
“We have no oversight and we have no accountability, and we can’t continue in this direction," Odell said about the mandates.
The remaining, non-mandated expenses include $6.7 million for the sheriff and road patrols, $5.9 million for the Office of Senior Resources, $4.2 million for emergency services and $3.5 million for Parks and Recreation.
Odell also touted the drop in bonding expenses over the last three years, with a decrease from $6,088,994 for the 2012 budget to $6,088,817 proposed for the coming year.
The county executive also brought attention to a new initiative, called an "army" to deal with drug and alcohol addiction. The proposed coalition includes a mix of county governmental entities and private organizations.
“Everybody has to be in on this," she said.
Odell is also calling for funding for two more sheriff's deputy positions and a sheriff's investigator in order to help the western side of the county, which she said is "suffering."
Additionally, Odell's budget proposes a 2-percent funding increase for non-profit organizations in the area, such as the Putnam History Museum and the Putnam Arts Council, along with a 3-percent increase for libraries.
Odell's presentation was held at Putnam County Golf Course in Mahopac. Members of the Putnam County Legislature were present for what was a special meeting of the body.
Carl Albano, the legislature's chairman, spoke after the meeting about the budget review process, which includes a budget vote by the legislature.
Legislator Sam Oliverio, who is challenging Odell for county executive in November's election, expressed concern about the number of employee raises being offered, although he was pleased that the budget comes under the tax cap.
Odell's presentation, along with a copy of the proposed budget, are available here.
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