McCoy pitches $819 million Albany County budget and 12% raise for himself

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy on Monday presented his proposed 2024 budget, which contains a 12% raise for himself.

The $819 million spending plan would not increase the tax levy, which would stay at about $100 million for the third consecutive year.

Total spending would increase by about 8.3%.

McCoy’s salary would go from $161,970 to $181,406. There would also be raises for Sheriff Craig Apple, which would take him from $148,258 to $166,049; and Comptroller Susan Rizzo would see her salary rise from $133,517 to $149,539.

McCoy said in a news release the projected tax rate would decrease from $3.17 per $1,000 to $2.84 per $1,000. This is due to an increase in the tax base. This is the 11^th consecutive year that the rate would decrease. It was at $3.95 per $1,000 in 2014.

The budget includes funding to help with the transition of the county’s vehicle fleet to 100% electric by 2023 and $6 million for sustainable projects and also funding for mental health initiatives.

McCoy said he is proud of the spending plan.

“We are dealing with mental health challenges, and we continue to lose loved ones to addiction and overdoses. Many are struggling to make ends meet and are forced into homelessness,” he said in a news release. “And we continue to see the effects of climate change here in New York and across the globe. Tackling these issues will require smart investments, and that’s what we’ve done with this budget.”

The full 2024 Executive Budget can be found on the Albany County website at the link at http://www.albanycounty.com.

The Times Union was first to report McCoy’s proposed raise.