ALBANY IN CRISIS 22-MILLION DOLLAR MISMANAGEMENT

Albany New York : Today Concerned Citizen Brian Scavo called for the NYS controller to investigate the fiscally flawed budget of former Mayor Kathy Sheehan truly guilty of fiscal mismanagement. Scavo went on to say " Albany Homeowners are once again holding the bag for the fiscal incompetence of Kathy Sheehan leaving the new Mayor Dorcey with a fiscal pothole. Scavo humbly asks Mayor Doresy to address have it removed ,,,,, the 17 percent Library Tax Increase by the Albany School district,. Homeowners say at this time we can't take another tax increase which would raise rent and force many senior citizens already living on a tight budget to struggle even more. WHAT THIS MEANS IS ANOTHER TAX INCREASE FOR ALBANY HOMEOWNERS DUE TO THE FISCAL INCOMTENCE OF KATHY SHEEHAN. respectfully Hon. Brian Scavo Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs is warning the city faces a growing fiscal challenge, projecting a $22 million deficit by 2026, while also facing scrutiny over spending decisions made in the first months of her administration. The city is already dealing with a $15 million structural deficit, according to Applyrs, who said the gap is expected to widen in the coming years. “This week I implemented a series of citywide financial measures across every department,” Applyrs said. “This included, number one, a hiring freeze.” The mayor said the measures include pausing non-essential hiring, limiting travel and equipment purchases, and reducing non-emergency overtime. The memo was sent to city workers on Thursday. Applyrs, who previously served as Albany’s city auditor, was also asked whether she was aware of the city’s fiscal challenges before taking office. “I would say as someone who served as the city auditor, having access to all of the information — this is not something that a city auditor, given the responsibilities per the city code, that I would have seen,” she said. Still, just three months into her term, some city officials are raising concerns about spending under the new administration. That includes the creation of new positions with salary increases — a move that drew criticism from some members of the Albany Common Council. “We need to know that we can afford these salary raises this year, and how we are affording them in the future,” said Councilmember Deirdre Brodie during a council hearing on February 19. “The fact that this bill was put forth within days of starting the fiscal year gives me very little confidence that these unsustainable increases will slow,” she added.