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FY2027 city budget adoption

At a glance

  • What: The Common Council will consider Ordinance 16.101.26 adopting the Fiscal Year 2027 budget the Mayor proposed on October 1, 2026, at special meetings on November 23 and November 30 (both posted on the Agenda Center as Special/Emergency meetings).
  • Where it stands: The Finance, Assessment and Taxation Committee has six meetings posted between October 26 and November 10 (agendas not read). At the October 14 caucus, members discussed revenue risk, a possible sales tax increase and a tax cap override.
  • Next: Committee budget reviews; adoption votes November 23 and 30.

Caucus discussion (October 14, 2026)

  • Farrell reported from a leadership meeting that a change in the Enterprise Resource Planning system had delayed budgeting, and that the Administration had contacted State partners about sales tax. A sales tax change needs a home rule message from the State legislature, which she said would not come until 2027. Robinson asked if the Council would vote on separate sales tax legislation; Farrell said no, unlike the tax cap override it would be voted on as part of the whole budget. Keegan noted that if members do not want the sales tax, the revenue would have to be replaced by other revenue or cuts.
  • Farrell said the "embellishment" fee (as worded in the minutes) could not be targeted to nonprofits, and that a 2013 study pointed to about $500,000 in revenue. Special event costs are higher because of added safety needs, and 911 calls are a significant cost to the City.
  • Robinson expressed concern about unrealistic revenue projections; Keegan said the Finance Committee shares those concerns.
  • Johnson asked what voting the budget down would accomplish since Albany has no contingency budget. Farrell said such provisions are not in the City Charter, and that if the tax cap override failed the Mayor would have to amend the budget for the lost revenue. Balarin said that despite disagreements on revenue, members must work together on a balanced budget. Robinson urged members to follow the budget-related committee meetings; Farrell said the committee would ask questions for members who cannot attend.

Earlier context

Sources

Log

2026-10-14 - Common Council Caucus

Sales tax, tax cap override, revenue realism and the no-contingency-budget point discussed as above. No votes.

2026-09-30 - Common Council Caucus

Keegan presented the budget review process ahead of the October 1 presentation. No votes.

  • 2026-10-23 - Nov 30 special meeting and six committee meetings (Oct 26 to Nov 10) found on the Agenda Center; agendas not read.
  • 2026-10-22 - Page created from a posted agenda.

2026-10-26 - Finance, Assessment & Taxation Committee Meeting

Budget presentations from the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services divisions; no public comment. Farrell said city leaders agreed to use the Proposed 2027 Budget issued October 6, 2026. Questions on staffing, short-term rental tax, vacant property sales, the Residential Occupancy Permit, the Tivoli Preserve grant and expiring union contracts. No votes.