Albany County Executive Dan McCoy has proposed an $847 million budget, which increases spending by 3%, but lowers property taxes.

McCoy said the budget proposal means that there has been 11 straight years that the property tax rate has decreased. The total tax rate has gone down by 30%, which McCoy said he liked to see other counties be able to say that.

“We have reduced our tax levy, and we have done it by still giving out extraordinary services providing for the people and figuring out a way to make it work, but it has not been easy,” he said.

Among some of the initiatives in the budget include $3 million for the Sustainable Technology and Green Energy (STAGE) Program. There is also $250,000 to combat food insecurity.

MORE: Albany County website