Albany City Commission holds public hearing for 2023-24 budget

ALBANY, Ga. – With the deadline for the 2024 budget fast approaching, the City of Albany held their public hearing Tuesday morning for the upcoming fiscal year.

One city employee spoke up to commissioners on behalf of his fellow city employees…

Claiming that part of the 315 million dollar budget should go towards making sure employees can cover their own cost of living expenses.

“…We feel like it’s unfair that we would only get a two percent increase. And we’ve been getting two for years now. Two here, two here, two here. And we all have families, we all have needs, we all go to the same grocery stores. We all go to the same Walmart, the same Publix. And we need an increase.”

City Manager, Stephen Carter outlined many of the facets of the coming year’s budget, including upgrades to the city’s sewer system that are very much needed.

However, Albany Mayor, Bo Dorough, says that given some declines in Albany in recent years, focus may need to shift.

“If we weren’t transferring this 18 million dollars, we wouldn’t be able to give anybody a raise. With the loss of population, the loss of business that Albany has experienced, without the utilities, this city might be in economic freefall, that’s just the truth of the matter,” said Mayor Bo Dorough, City of Albany.

One city commissioner spoke up and said that city employees should be receiving a larger raise to coincide with the larger budget.

“I personally don’t think that 4.5 percent is enough for all of the employees. But, hey, if that’s the will of the board, I’ll vote for it. But, I think it should be more. Cause I do understand that when we have storms, and we have issues with the sewers, these guys and girls respond, just like anybody else,” said Jalen Johnson, Ward 2 Commissioner, City of Albany.

Now that the public and members of the Albany government have voiced their takes on the more than 300 million dollar budget, it comes down to the city commission to make sure the version of the budget is the one they want.

The City of Albany will hold a commission meeting on Wednesday, June 28th where they will plan to adopt the budget.

Brian Roche reporting.

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