Albany commissioners weigh $200,000 drone purchase and $372,000 extended‑day program in revised 2026 budget

City of Albany officials on June 3 reviewed revisions to the proposed fiscal 2026 budget that include a $200,000 allocation for a police drone initiative and an additional $372,000 for an extended‑day recreation program, the finance director said.

The additions were presented by Michael (finance director) before a public comment period and commission discussion. Michael said the original proposed city budget was about $342,000,144.07 and that the two changes — $200,000 for a drone program and $372,000 for an extended‑day program — were the most recent modifications. He told the commission the extended‑day cost would be “offset by the program revenues” if implemented. The finance director asked commissioners to consider the changes before further action.

Why it matters: the drone allocation ties directly to a police proposal that Chief Johnson described later in the meeting as a phased, technology‑first approach to speeding response and improving situational awareness. The extended‑day program represents a new service…