Albany County, City Clash Over $7K in School Zone Speeding Fines

City treasurer and county officials dispute responsibility for unpaid tickets near Albany schools.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:48pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, photorealistic painting of a school crossing sign standing alone on an empty city street, the sign's reflective surface catching the warm glow of the afternoon sun and casting long shadows across the pavement, conveying a sense of civic tension and unresolved conflict.The dispute over unpaid school zone speeding fines exposes the complex power dynamics between local governments and the need for more transparent traffic enforcement policies.Albany Today

A dispute has emerged between the city of Albany and Albany County over $7,300 in fines for county employees speeding near schools while driving county vehicles. City Treasurer Darius Shahinfar says the county has not paid the fines, while County Comptroller Susan Rizzo claims the county paid a negotiated amount of $3,675. The two sides are now at odds over the remaining $1,325 balance.

Why it matters

This clash highlights the ongoing tensions between local governments over enforcement of school zone speed limits and the financial responsibilities for government employees who violate traffic laws. It also raises questions about the fairness and transparency of how these fines are adjudicated.

The details

City data shows 98 speeding tickets were issued to Albany County vehicles between January and September 2025, with the fastest offender clocked at 45 mph in a 20 mph zone. While the city and county had been negotiating a settlement, they now disagree on the final amount owed, with the city treasurer rejecting the county's $3,675 offer and returning the check.

  • Between January and September 2025, 98 speeding tickets were issued to Albany County vehicles.
  • On March 29, 2026, the county signed a dispersal of funds to pay $3,675 in fines.
  • In February 2026, the city treasurer raised the issue with the county comptroller.

The players

Darius Shahinfar

The city treasurer of Albany, whose office handles speeding and parking tickets.

Susan Rizzo

The Albany County comptroller.

Jeffery Jamison

The Albany County attorney.

Dan McCoy

The Albany County executive.

Dorcey Applyrs

The mayor of Albany.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We feel we're square.”

— Susan Rizzo, Albany County Comptroller

“I mailed the check back to Jamison.”

— Darius Shahinfar, Albany City Treasurer

“The county and city had been in negotiations since the middle of last year, applied the general practice of the city Parking Violations Bureau and reached a verbal agreement. However, when the county sent a check to satisfy the monies owed, it was returned and we were told the standard practice would not apply.”

— Dan McCoy, Albany County Executive

What’s next

The dispute between the city and county over the remaining $1,325 in unpaid fines is ongoing, with both sides refusing to back down. The county is considering challenging the tickets in court, while the city treasurer says they are too late to do so.

The takeaway

This clash over school zone speeding fines highlights the need for greater transparency and consistency in how such violations are adjudicated, especially when they involve government vehicles and employees. The dispute also raises concerns about the due process rights of those issued tickets.