Albany mayor unveils roughly $277 million 2026 budget with tax levy and fee increases

The mayor of Albany presented the city's proposed fiscal 2026 budget to the City Council; the proposal includes roughly $277,000,000 in operating funds, a tax levy increase described as compliant with New York State's cap, and a proposed $90 annual increase to the city's trash-collection fee.

The budget matter matters because it sets the city's spending priorities for services, infrastructure and debt service while the mayor said the city faces uncertainty from federal actions and economic headwinds that could affect revenue and cash flow.

The mayor framed the proposal as a plan based on current assumptions and emphasized continuity in core services and strategic investments. "The only reason that we are here is to serve the city of Albany and to work to ensure that we provide the services and support and the safety and health that our community wants," the mayor said. The mayor said the city has rebuilt its rainy day fund to $15,000,000 and has balanced budgets for years without tapping fund balance.

Key numbers in the proposal include a roughly $277 million operating budget (about a 3% increase from last year, according to the mayor), a tax levy increase the mayor described as 3% and compliant with the state cap, and an average property-owner impact example: a homeowner with a $250,000 house would see a $51 increase in the annual tax bill. The mayor said debt-service costs are rising,…