CARMEL, NY - Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne today highlighted the county’s commitment to open and transparent government in recognition of Sunshine Week, a national initiative dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability in government.

“When I was first elected, I promised a new era of transparency in county government, and we delivered,” said Byrne. “Transparency builds trust, and residents deserve to know how decisions are made and how their tax dollars are being spent.”

Sunshine Week is a nationwide initiative supported by the Society of Professional Journalists that highlights the importance of open government and the public’s right to know.

Since taking office, Byrne said his administration has implemented several initiatives designed to make county government more accessible and transparent for residents, including:

• Live-streaming public meetings and hearings, including those held by the County Executive, so residents can follow government proceedings in real time.
• Launching the county’s Budget Transparency website, allowing taxpayers to easily view and understand how county funds are allocated and spent.
• Hosting more than 40 constituent forums throughout Putnam County to hear directly from residents and answer questions about county government.
• Voluntarily publishing the County Executive’s financial disclosure statements online, providing an additional level of accountability beyond minimum requirements.

“These initiatives were pioneered by this administration, and I’m proud that Putnam County is helping lead the way,” Byrne said. “This isn’t politics. It’s good government.”

Byrne also welcomed ongoing legislative efforts to strengthen transparency in county government.

“I’m encouraged to see progress on Legislator Russo’s proposed Taxpayer Transparency Act, which would codify many of these transparency measures into county code,” Byrne added. “Institutionalizing these practices ensures that transparency remains a permanent part of how Putnam County government operates.”

“Transparency shouldn’t depend on who holds office, it should be built into the foundation of how government operates,” said Legislator Laura Russo. “That’s exactly what the Taxpayer Transparency Act is designed to do. By codifying these practices into law, we can ensure that Putnam County residents always have clear, consistent access to information about how decisions are made and how their tax dollars are spent. I’m proud to work alongside County Executive Byrne to make transparency a permanent standard, not just a promise.”

Sunshine Week is observed annually across the United States and encourages governments at all levels to promote open records, accessible meetings, and public accountability.

“We’ll always strive to do better,” Byrne said. “But one thing is clear: under this administration, Putnam County is leading the way on transparency.”