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Albany Board of Estimating approves seven budget transfers and revenue adjustments
Summary
At its May 20 meeting the Albany Board of Estimating approved seven interdepartmental budget transfers and two revenue adjustments, including an upward state CHIPS allocation and a $500,000 increase tied to stabilization and demolition fees.
The Albany City Board of Estimating on May 20 approved seven budget transfers and two revenue adjustments to reflect updated allocations and cover upcoming expenses.
The transfers moved line-item funds within departments to match intended purchases and to cover invoiced services, while the revenue adjustments increased city receipts tied to the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) and to stabilization/demolition fees. Sean Hill Gath, deputy chief city auditor, opened the session and described the agenda items.
The board approved seven budget transfers including: $40,000 within the Department of General Services from park maintenance other equipment to central maintenance other equipment; $1,000 from DGS admin training and conferences to admin miscellaneous; $5,000 among DGS Capital Hills and Albany contracted services and other equipment lines; $10,000 within the Water Department from transmission and distribution contracted services to admin supplies and materials to cover invoices; and a combined $210,000 in the Water Department (sewer maintenance contracted services redistributed to driver services, transmission and distribution equipment, and transmission and distribution supplies and materials) to cover anticipated work. The Police Department transfers included $59,006 from central booking salaries to the Smart Policing Initiative contracted services and $59,000 from a New York State JAG (BCJS) gift/grant contracted services line to the BCJS gift/grant other equipment line for evidence storage purchases.
Staff described the CHIPS revenue increase as an upward adjustment from an earlier estimate to the confirmed allocation the city received after the state budget passed. The budget office also recorded a $500,000 revenue increase tied to stabilization and demolition fees to cover emergency demolitions at 253 Second Street and another property listed as 74 (address truncated in the record).
Dean Brenner, Budget Director, moved approval of the transfers; Eugenie Crowley, chief accountant, seconded. The board proceeded without further roll-call detail and the chair called for approval. "All in favor? Aye," was recorded and the motion passed.
The approvals were procedural adjustments to align encumbrances and spending authority with anticipated invoices and confirmed revenues; no new programs or long-term policy changes were adopted at the meeting.
Looking ahead, staff will implement the reallocated lines and incorporate the confirmed CHIPS allocation into the city’s revenue budget for the fiscal year.
