Protective Services Budget Meeting - October 8, 2026 - Putnam County Legislature, NY

The Putnam County Legislature’s Protective Services Committee met on October 8, 2026, to review proposed 2027 budgets. The Bureau of Emergency Services outlined equipment and replacement needs, including a $75,000 propane-fire simulator for the fire training center and approximately $50,000 to replace and dispose of hazardous hazmat foam. The committee also discussed the 18-month Empress ALS contract extension, totaling $4,497,145, and a proposed $267,000 sheriff’s drone-as-first-responder program, additional license-plate-reader technology, and a lease for 225 replacement portable radios; no radio lease amount was stated. A motion to transfer drone, LPR, and related surveillance-technology funding to subcontingency pending further legislative review of program details and safeguards failed on a roll-call vote. Members raised questions about public input, privacy safeguards, and the need for a dedicated committee discussion of the drone program.

Other budget discussions included the District Attorney’s use of state discovery and prosecution grants to support staffing, including a full-time discovery position, and $30,000 in Stop-DWI funding proposed for discovery-related work. The DA also cited special-service costs anticipated for a 2027 trial and requested $30,000 for stenographic services. The coroner described higher testing costs and mandated continuing-education expenses while noting efforts to limit autopsies and keep the budget lean. Emergency Services was asked to follow up on the 911 phone-equipment budget line; the committee passed a motion reducing line 54520 by $70,000, from $128,000 to $58,000. The meeting opened with a proclamation recognizing National Fire Prevention Week, including safe lithium-ion battery charging and home fire safety; no other procurement awards or bid approvals were identified.