Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy today announced his Executive Budget for 2021 in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic response and the continued fallout from the economic shutdown that has reduced sales tax and other county revenues. Despite these challenges, along with a lack of federal aid, the County Executive presented the latest balanced spending plan that stays under the state mandated property tax cap and keeps taxes flat for the eighth year in a row. This was achieved without layoffs or cuts to programs and services.

“Last year I was proud to announce that our fund balance had grown to historic levels of over $60 million. I’ve made this a priority since first being elected because our residents deserve the peace of mind knowing that in the event of an economic downturn, they would be insulated from tax increases. However, no one could have known we would be dealing with a pandemic this year that has already taken roughly 215,000 American lives and upend the US economy,” said County Executive McCoy.

“With county sales taxes dropping $18.4 million, and Hotel Occupancy Taxes plummeting over 33%, we will use some of that rainy day fund and other smart cost savings for what can only be equated to a torrential downpour of a year to ensure we’re not raising taxes nor cutting programs for residents and businesses still trying to get back on their feet. We will also invest in the establishment of a Local Development Corporation to help our local businesses and the economy rebound making it stronger than ever,” he continued.

The balanced budget, totaling just over $719.3 million, represents a 1.81% decrease from last year’s 2020 Adopted Budget of $732.6 million. The average $150,000 home will save an estimated $1.00 on their tax bill. This is the third year in a row that the average property owner will see their tax rate decrease. The Albany County tax rate per $1,000 of equalized assessed value has gone down from $3.95 to $3.48 since 2014.

This budget uses $3 million of the fund balance as well as $5 million in debt reserve to address losses in revenues. Since last year, sales tax revenues declined by approximately 6.33%, from $290.4 million to $272 million this year. Hotel Occupancy Taxes took an even larger proportional hit at 33.3%, dropping from $8.74 million to $5.83 million. Despite this, for the fifth consecutive year the State Comptroller has placed Albany County in a category of “No Designation of Fiscal Stress.”

Aside from losses in revenues, Albany County spent heavily on the response to the Coronavirus outbreak starting in March in order to protect county residents. Protocols were quickly put into place at the County Department of Health for contact tracing and quarantines to stop the spread of the virus. County Executive McCoy also established a food delivery program for those placed under quarantine through a partnership with the New York State National Guard, while establishing a first of its kind walk-up community COVID testing across the Capital Region through a partnership with Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center. Amid the crisis, Albany County also distributed crucial personal protection equipment (PPE), established a Mental Health Support Hotline and a consumer protection program with United Way of the Greater Capital Region, and expanded broadband access to the Hilltowns with the partnership of Hudson Valley Wireless.

The County Executive published a strategic economic development plan with the assistance of Camoin Associates to assist the Capital Region reopen with controlled and safe phases. With the latest spending plan, Albany County continues to make progress on establishing and funding a dedicated economic development Local Development Corporation (LDC) to promote and coordinate economic development initiatives. Investing in the Albany County Land Bank has been another key piece toward building the economy and helping families find affordable homes. County Executive McCoy continues his commitment to these efforts by investing another $250,000 in the Land Bank, for a total of $3 million to date. Another highlight for 2021 is marking the third year of the Statewide Implementation of the Hurrell-Harring indigent legal defense reform championed by the County Executive. This funding supports ten new positions and additional expenses with an additional $1.4 million.

To address those losses in revenues and increased emergency spending, substantial savings came from the Early Separation Payout, offering willing employees $15,000 to separate from county employment for at least three years, beginning this year. Seventy two members of the workforce have elected to separate, saving the county over $4.07 million from salaries, and over $5 million in total savings once factoring in fringe benefits, reimbursements and other factors. These separations were also paired with internal operational efficiencies that ensured each department would be able to function at the same capacity with less staff.

Despite serious losses in revenues and the costs associated with responding to the COVID-19 crisis, County Executive McCoy remains undeterred from prioritizing funding for his top priorities. Those include green initiatives like converting all county owned street lights to energy efficient LED lights and pursing solar energy generation at county locations. Albany County will also continue to broaden efforts of the Opioid Task Force by partnering with the New York State Department of Health and local hospitals to expand access to medication assisted treatment (MAT) in emergency rooms. Additionally, Albany County will continue to implement the Equity Agenda across all county departments and agencies in 2021, delivering services and programs in a more fair manner that prioritizes those most in need.

View the full 2021 Executive Budget