Albany County approves Parks & Recreation budget amendment; staff detail expanded programs at county community center

The Albany County Legislature’s Public Works Committee approved an amendment Nov. 18 to the 2025 Department of Parks and Recreation budget to address temporary health and tax-assessment lines, county staff said.

Bakery Jani, who identified herself as a commissioner for Albany County Parks and Recreation, told the committee the department has grown and added positions and programming, which has increased costs and prompted the request to amend the budget. "As our department has grown and acquired new positions and increased programming, we've also encouraged a different, taxes from the properties that we have acquired," she said, adding that the department would follow up with legislators on the details of tax liabilities for newly acquired properties.

Jani described a range of programs at the Gilley County Athletic and Community Center — adult and youth classes, an adult chess program and a children's chess program, Zumba, futsal, an etiquette class, STEM and family events — and said the site remains under construction; available space (lobby, gymnasium and one classroom) is being used for programming while other construction continues. She directed people to albanycounty.recdesk.com for program listings.

Legislators asked about age limits, supervision and liability for drop-off situations; Jani said staff are assessing what is "responsible on the county's end" and will require authorizations when necessary to ensure safety.

The committee recorded a motion, a second and approved the amendment by voice vote. The transcript did not include exact dollar amounts for the Parks & Recreation amendment or a detailed funding breakdown; Jani said she would provide more detailed information to legislators on tax-assessment liabilities and other specifics.