Putnam Legislature approves two additional school resource officers for Carmel, questions remain on cost sharing

The Putnam County Legislature approved two additional special resource officer (SRO) positions for the Carmel Central School District on Aug. 25, 2025, after a discussion about cost allocation and long-term funding. What happened: Captain Sharpelli of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said the Carmel superintendent and board requested two additional SROs, one for the high school and one for the middle school, and the district has agreed to cover the positions under the existing funding methodology. Budget and contracts questions: Several legislators pressed the sheriff's office and county finance staff for clearer contract language showing what school districts pay: hourly rates, administrative and supervisory charges, vehicle and equipment costs, and whether districts cover athletics and off-duty coverage. "I would like to see an audit of what exactly is in...the contract," Legislator Crowley said, asking for line-by-line breakdowns of costs and the contracts the county has with each school district. How schools pay now: Committee discussion noted that some longstanding SRO arrangements are shared 50/50 between county and school, while other districts have different percentages or flat-rate methods. Officials said the county currently bears vehicle, supervision and equipment costs in many agreements even when districts pay an hourly personnel rate. Outcome and next steps: Committee members requested the sheriff's office and finance staff supply copies of the contracts and a line-by-line accounting of what the county is paying and what each school district reimburses. The measure to create the two positions was approved in committee and sent to the full legislature. Taper: Legislators signaled support for school safety but asked for standard, transparent contracts and a policy for annual adjustments to reflect rising personnel costs and benefits.