Property tax growth for local governments will be capped at less than one percent for the 2016 fiscal year, according to a report issued today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The report noted the allowable tax levy growth factor will be 0.73 percent for entities that operate on a calendar-based fiscal year – which includes all counties, towns, fire districts, 44 cities and 10 villages.

An audit and investigation by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s led to the arrest today of DePeyster Town Clerk and Tax Collector Michelle Sheppard, who admitted she falsified her personal town and county tax payments of $4,303.

“Day after day, Ms. Sheppard watched her friends and neighbors pay their taxes. Yet she decided she deserved a free ride, in a blatant violation of her public duty,” DiNapoli said. “I thank District Attorney Mary Rain and the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work and partnership with my staff to bring this individual to justice.”

Tax revenues of $8.1 billion in June were stronger than expected, and collections for the first quarter of the fiscal year were $748.5 million higher than projections in the Enacted Budget Financial Plan, according to the monthly state cash report issued today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The General Fund balance totaled $11.1 billion at the end of June, almost $1.9 billion higher than projected.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced the guilty plea of former Bennington Town Clerk Tina Metz in a string of thefts that intensified even after DiNapoli’s office uncovered her criminal behavior.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced his office completed audits of the City of Johnstown, North Patchogue Fire District, Town of Rosendale and the Town of West Seneca.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced his office completed audits of the Amani Public Charter School, Holland Central School District, Mount Pleasant Central School District and the Onteora Central School District.

Lisa Stone, the former treasurer of Pulteney Fire District No. 2 was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay full restitution for stealing more than $6,800 in fire district funds, after an audit and investigation by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli revealed that she paid herself an illegal second salary.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today recommended improvement of oversight of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) after a report by his office found that previous reforms have not reduced costs for ratepayers and debt levels continue to rise.

Local sales tax collection growth across New York State slowed to 1.6 percent in the first six months of 2015 from 3 percent growth in 2014 and was considerably lower than the 4.2 percent average annual growth over the past 15 years, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today his office approved 1,887 contracts valued at $12.3 billion and approved nearly 1.3 million payments worth approximately $11.8 billion in June. His office also rejected 170 contracts and related transactions valued at $356 million and more than 2,000 payments valued at more than $7.3 million due to fraud, waste or other improprieties.