Putnam County Commission Passes New Budget

The Putnam County Commission approved the new fiscal year budget Monday night.

Total property tax revenue expected to be $44,261,490 in the upcoming fiscal year, a $1.26 million increase from the current year.

Commission Chairman Mike Atwood said he’s proud of the budget committee’s work.

“I personally am proud of our budget this year and I think many things were accomplished,” Atwood said. “There were a lot of additions that we were able to make with no tax increase and that’s the main thing.”

The budget allows the county to hire six additional school resource officers and provide a cost of living raise to public safety employees and other county employees. Public safety employees will receive $2,000 while all other employees will get a $1,800 raise.

Sheriff Eddie Farris said his department has been anticipating getting the six additional SROs. The county needs 11 SROs in order to have each school in the county covered.

“We anticipate at least five of the six being hired and in schools by August the 24th,” Farris said. “We hope next year that we can add the remaining five.”

The property tax rate will remain at $2.73 cents.