If you tried to follow the meetings of the City of Albany budget committee, one thing you learned is that the city intends to raise the monthly surcharge known as the “city services fee” in the 2025-27 budget period, which starts July 1.
Well, it’s official now. The Albany City Council has adopted a new “city services fee” — or utility tax if you will — to help support its general fund, which pays for police, fire protection, parks, libraries and planning, among other things.
Staff work continues on a new Albany utility fee to support city services. And while no decision has been made to collect such a fee, no one on the council has objected in any of the meetings where it was discussed.
Albany Parks and Recreation Director Kim Lyddane has good news for all those parents who pleaded with the city council last spring not to close the Maple Lawn Preschool: Subject to council and school board approval, the place will stay open and Greater Albany Public Schools will cover the expense.
There’s been a lot of public discussion about possible monthly Albany utility fees to shore up future city budgets, and Mayor Sharon Konopa says she’d like to make her position clear.
There are not enough votes on the Albany City Council to impose a monthly utility fee to support city services, at least not yet.
Albany budgets for clearing Waverly Lake
Unwanted plant growth in Waverly Lake is making its annual summertime comeback, and the Albany parks department will deal with the problem as it did the last two years.
Tags: Albany city budget, Albany parks budget, algae harvesters, clearing Waverly Lake. algae, Waverly Lake