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Albany County finance staff: $53 million in reserves, but only about $16 million likely available for discretionary use
Summary
In a March 17 midyear review, county finance staff told commissioners the county holds roughly $53 million in reserves but much of that is restricted; about $16 million may be under the board's discretion, and commissioners pressed staff on reserve use, courthouse funding and staffing levels.
At its March 17 meeting, the Albany County Board of Commissioners heard a midyear fiscal update from county finance staff Tracy, who said the county's principal revenues remain property tax, sales tax and mineral/severance receipts and that the county is carrying roughly $53 million in reserves.
"A lot of those figures are unaudited, but this will give you an idea of where we are," Tracy said, describing fund-balance classifications the county uses — nonspendable, restricted, committed, assigned and unassigned — and how those categories limit what the board can spend without formal action.
Tracy told the board that while the headline number may look large, the bulk of the reserve balance is either restricted by statute, tied to specific ballot measures or otherwise not available for general use. "So that is my brief thing," Tracy said, adding later that "you're looking at 16 million that you might have some authority over." The presentation and its accompanying handouts were made available online.
Commissioners pressed staff on scenarios for using reserves, including whether drawing from emergency reserves to fund a $2 million courthouse project would be prudent after recent storm damage at the fairgrounds. Tracy and others warned that emergency reserves are intended for sudden needs such as storm damage, not routine capital projects; commissioners discussed prioritizing employee-compensation reserves and other restrictions that tie up funds.
The board also discussed staffing levels and operating capacity. Tracy said many county functions remain labor‑intensive and that the county has not restored two positions lost since 2017. Commissioners noted that the county has grown its reserves from a precarious position years ago to a stronger balance today, while cautioning that most of the dollars are earmarked.
The presentation was explicit that the numbers presented were unaudited and that a formal midyear review will follow after audit completion. Commissioners thanked Tracy and accepted the report; no formal budget amendments were adopted during the session.
What happens next: The county will finalize audited figures and present a formal midyear review later in the year. Commissioners indicated they will continue to weigh reserve policy and capital priorities in coming budget discussions.
