To the Editor:
Every Albany County resident and business owner is being presented with an opportunity to have more say on how taxpayer money is spent.

Albany County has $29.6 million remaining from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. A brief survey soliciting your input has been created to help direct how that money should be spent. You can respond, completely anonymously, online at albanycountyarpa.org/survey.

My first preference would be to return the money to taxpayers so they could choose for themselves how best to spend their own money. However, specific language in the act bars states from using federal funds to “either directly or indirectly offset a reduction in net tax revenue.”

The law presents a long list of how the money may be targeted, but the provisions are often broad and subject to multiple interpretations. So, let’s hear from you with your best ideas on the most effective use of these funds.

As the ranking member on the county legislature’s Finance Committee, I have a seat on one of the committees that will ultimately make specific recommendations for the spending. Rest assured: I will give careful consideration to what citizens have to say on the survey.

I also see this as an opportunity for Guilderland to get more of its fair share when county dollars are being distributed.

The deadline for survey submissions is Nov. 16 so be sure to act quickly. Thank you.

Mark Grimm

Guilderland

Editor’s note: Mark Grimm is an Albany County legislator representing part of Guilderland.