Albany County approves project list for proposed 2026 special‑purpose excise tax after priority debates

Albany County commissioners voted to approve Resolution 2025‑014, formally designating the county’s project list for a proposed 2026 special‑purpose excise tax after more than two hours of presentations and debate over which projects should take priority.

The approved resolution lists a range of capital projects and equipment requests — including fairgrounds grandstand and barn replacements, courthouse remodel work, debt service, sheriff’s body‑camera equipment and storage, and airport pavement and taxiway rehabilitation — and authorizes county staff to present those project amounts as the county’s submission for the tax. Upon passage, the chair declared the motion carried.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the project list is intended to identify the county’s needs in the event voters approve a special‑purpose excise tax; several members pressed for either a ranked priority list to guide cuts if allocations fall short or for an unprioritized project list that simply states amounts. "This time, we take the lion's share," said Speaker 1, urging the county secure a large portion of the available funding.

During the meeting, fairgrounds representatives detailed deteriorating infrastructure and argued the upgrades would both reduce safety risks and generate rental revenue. "These facilities are inadequate with what we have now … we have major issues with the roofs and safety of the barn itself," said Taylor, who presented on fairgrounds conditions and potential revenue benefits from improved facilities.

Sheriff’s office needs were also emphasized. A county official noted the body‑camera contract is scheduled for renewal in July 2026 and urged funding to maintain the program and provide adequate storage. "To maintain that program ... that's why we're asking for it on that special purpose tax," Speaker 6 said, urging higher priority for body cameras and detention‑center safety work.

Board members disagreed on process: some favored producing a prioritized, ranked list now to streamline negotiation in an upcoming joint meeting; others opposed locking in rankings before knowing the total allocation and preferred advocating for the full list instead. Speaker 8 urged adoption of a ranked list as a pragmatic tool for bargaining at a joint meeting Monday, while Speaker 2 said he would "advocate for everything on the list" and did not want to preemptively cut items.

Votes at a glance: The board recorded multiple procedural votes during the session. Earlier the board denied two vehicle bids as presented (motion carried), and later recessed briefly to allow staff to update the resolution language. After returning, the board approved Resolution 2025‑014 designating Albany County’s project list for the proposed 2026 special‑purpose excise tax; the chair announced the motion carried. The meeting adjourned following the vote.

What happens next: The board’s action sends the county’s project list forward as its official submission for the proposed special‑purpose excise tax process; staff will circulate the updated resolution language to county staff (Tracy and Kayla were named during the meeting) and proceed with the next procedural steps discussed in the joint meeting forum.

The special meeting took place on Sept. 11 and concluded with the board adjourning after approval of the resolution.