Consultants tell Albany council voters view streets as a top issue but many don’t know how they’re funded

Consultants from Concert North America and DHM Research told the Albany City Council on April 7 that residents rank street conditions among the top community concerns but many do not understand how street maintenance is funded.

The presentation, by Clark Worth of Concert North America and John Horvage of DHM Research, said research carried out in 2024 and follow-up work in early 2025 found a citywide annual funding gap for street maintenance that the consultants quantified at about $12,800,000. The consultants said 55% of survey respondents rated the city’s street maintenance as poor, and 40% of respondents said they did not know where transportation funding comes from.

Why it matters: The council is considering local funding options, including a transportation utility fee and discussion of gas-tax approaches. The consultants emphasized that voter education about where transportation dollars come from — and the trade-offs involved — will be critical if Albany pursues a…