Parks & Open Space Parcel Tax

In 2018, Albany voters approved Ballot Measure M (Ordinance 2018-05(PDF, 168KB)), which enacted an ongoing special parcel tax in the City of Albany to fund the maintenance and improvement of City park and open space facilities.

Measure M provides an average of $470,000 in revenue annually, which is placed into a separate special revenue fund and allocated to appropriate programs and projects during the biennial operating budget and Capital Improvement Plan processes.

The tax is ongoing and is adjusted annually according to the Consumer Price Index. Exemptions and rebates are available through the City's Finance department for residents whose combined family income qualifies as "very low income." (See AMC Ch. 4-15)

The first year of the tax collection was in fiscal year 2019-20. The following documents illustrate audited revenues and expenditures in the fund.

Projects and Programs

Collage of trees and the city seal

Parks Maintenance Program

Park maintenance includes everything necessary to keep Albany's public park areas safe, clean, and operating efficiently to serve the needs of our residents. The program includes caring for park landscapes and fields; tending to irrigation systems; planting, watering, and pruning of park trees; utilities including water for irrigation and electricity for lighting; cleaning park restrooms and related facilities; monitoring and addressing trash; and managing contract services for tasks such as regular mowing, specialized repairs to electrical or irrigation systems, and pest control.

A detailed view of the Parks Maintenance Program budget, including Measure M allocations, is available in the City's Biennial Operating Budget (Section 3.3.8, Public Works).

Urban Forestry Program

Albany's Urban Forest spans approximately 6,000 trees within the City limits, and is an essential part of the City's landscape. Albany's City Arborist monitors and maintains the City's publicly-owned street trees, which are generally trees between the sidewalk and roadway in the public right-of-way. The program includes tree pruning, planting, watering, and emergency maintenance, as well as assessment and facilitation of any necessary removals and/or replacements.

For further information, please visit the Urban Forestry webpage. A detailed view of the Urban Forestry Program budget, including Measure M allocations, is available in the City's Biennial Operating Budget (Section 3.3.8, Public Works).

Creeks & Open Space Maintenance Program

Creeks and Open Space maintenance includes all the work necessary to keep Albany's natural resource areas clean and safe for residents to enjoy. This program covers maintenance on Albany Hill, in our creeks, and at the Albany Bulb & Waterfront. The program includes general vegetation management and habitat restoration, monitoring and study of sensitive wildlife populations, and partnering with Albany's Fire Department to monitor and mitigate wildfire safety issues. Currently, Public Works staff partner with Urban Tilth, a local nonprofit based in Richmond, to perform routine maintenance on Albany Hill and in Codornices and Cerrito Creeks, under the guidance of the City's Natural Areas Coordinator.

A detailed view of the Creeks & Open Space Program budget, including Measure M allocations, is available in the City's Biennial Operating Budget (Section 3.3.8, Public Works).

Proposition 68 Project Suite

Through the 2018 State of California Parks & Water Bond, also known as Prop 68, the City of Albany has been allocated grant funding for projects aimed at improving or enhancing local park infrastructure. Albany will receive allocations via both the Recreational Infrastructure Revenue Enhancement (RIRE) Program and the Per Capita Program, totaling approximately $425,000. Measure M provides the $37,961 in local matching funds required by the State.

Projects were approved by the City Council in November of 2021 (Resolution No. 2021-115(PDF, 323KB)). The project list includes shade improvements and dog amenities at Jewel's Terrace Park, Memorial Park lighting and dog park improvements, permanent Pickleball courts at Ocean View Park, seating element upgrades at the Dartmouth Tot Lot, and access and landscape improvements at Peggy Thomsen Pierce Street Park.

Street Tree Inventory

The City has partnered with ArborPro, Inc. to perform an inventory of existing street trees and vacant planting sites throughout Albany. This inventory lays the foundation for the forthcoming Street Tree Management Plan (STMP).

On November 7, 2022, the City Council appropriated $22,500 from Measure M to support this project.

With a comprehensive understanding of the composition, conditions, and total quantity of existing street trees in the City, the City is better able to maintain and identify and prioritize opportunities to expand the City's tree canopy. This includes making proactive maintenance decisions to ensure a healthy, thriving urban canopy with increased and equitable coverage, and mitigating safety risks and hazards to the community.

To view the City's final inventory of street trees and explore the various species of trees in the community, please visit the Community Viewer.

For more information on the City's Urban Forestry Program visit the Urban Forestry page.

Capital Improvement & Maintenance Reserve

The balance of revenues not utilized for the City's current maintenance programs is currently collected in the fund as a reserve for upcoming Capital Improvements and maintenance enhancements. Examples of types of improvements include but are not limited to: park landscape and lighting enhancements, major repair and/or upgrades to playground equipment, new or improved sports facilities, urban forestry projects, accessibility improvements to natural areas or park facilities, and more.

Project prioritization is currently underway as part of the Parks Master Plan and is expected to be incorporated into upcoming Capital Improvement Plan revisions.

Fund Administration

The City employs NBS Government Finance Group to administer and report on levy and collection of the special tax. Annual reports are linked below by fiscal year.

Administration also includes annual property tax administrative charges levied by Alameda County for collection of the tax, as well as expenditures for staff efforts to administer the tax.

This fund is included in the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports and is reviewed annually as part of the Citywide audit process.