Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell has proposed a $180 million county budget for 2023 that includes no property tax levy increase.  The proposal, presented to the Legislature Thursday night, is within the New York State property tax cap and includes an increase of $11.3 million, or 6.3 percent, over the 2022 budget.  Odell began her eleventh and final budget presentation by saying they've reduced Putnam’s debt level by more than $48 million since she took office and completely eliminated short-term borrowing. Her administration has also increased the county’s general fund balance by nearly $49 million during her tenure. If the proposed budget is approved by the Legislature, the average county homeowner whose property is assessed at $400,900 will pay $1,250 in county property taxes. The property tax rate per one thousand dollar of assessed value will be $3.12, the lowest county property tax rate since 2009.