CARMEL, NY – Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne today unveiled a new initiative aimed at enhancing transparency within the county government. As part of this initiative, Byrne is proposing that certain financial disclosures be made publicly accessible on the county’s official website.

Currently, all elected officials in Putnam County Government are required by law to complete financial disclosure forms, which are then submitted to the Putnam County Board of Ethics. However, these financial disclosures are not currently made public. Two members of the Board of Ethics reviews them to ensure they are completed, not necessarily thoroughly investigating each submission to determine if something is intentionally or mistakenly missed or misrepresented. Under Byrne’s new initiative, his disclosures will be available for public viewing, ensuring greater accountability and fostering trust within the community.

“Transparency has been a cornerstone of this administration with my belief that sunshine is the best disinfectant. With assistance from the Legislature, Putnam County has already made its public meetings more accessible, and it will soon be launching a new budget transparency website,” said County Executive Kevin Byrne. “During my tenure as a New York State Assemblyman, I was required to file my financial disclosures publicly, and it was a crucial step in maintaining the public’s trust. While county governments are not required to publish financial disclosure forms online, other county governments do. I believe extending this practice to our county government will assist in enhancing transparency, accountability, and reduce questions about potential conflicts of interest.”

Byrne himself has decided to set an example by posting his financial disclosure to the County Website which was already submitted to the County Board of Ethics one month ago. His initiative underscores a commitment to making Putnam County government’s public servants more transparent and open to public scrutiny. These forms reveal family income, debts, political memberships, and any potential benefits the individual may receive from County contracts.

“This initiative is not just about compliance; it's about setting a standard for openness and building a culture of trust between our government and the residents of Putnam County,” Byrne added. “I believe our citizens deserve to know that their elected officials and policymakers are working in their best interests, and I think it’s appropriate that it should begin with more disclosure from their County Executive.”

To access Byrne’s previous financial disclosures from his time in the Assembly, visit https://ethics.ny.gov/financial-disclosure-statements-elected-officials. His financial disclosures from his time as County Executive can be found here for 2022 and here for 2023.