This report provides an overview of their finances, including data for Villages fiscal years ending in 2004 and 2005.

This report provides an overview of their finances, including data for Fire Districts fiscal years ending in 2004 and 2005.

This report provides an overview of their finances, including data for School Districts fiscal years ending in 2004 and 2005.

New York State and its local governments maintain an extensive infrastructure critical to the economy, including roads, bridges, educational facilities, water and sewer systems and medical facilities. Most of this capital investment is financed through the issuance of long term debt. Investment in such infrastructure maintains and improves the vitality and economic well being of our communities. 

As previous reports by the Office of the State Comptroller have pointed out, the terms city, town and village have more to do with history than they do with present day governmental function. This report looks at urban villages as one type of municipal government that has been impacted by these historic designations.

This report provides an overview of financial and employment trends of the 116 active Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) in New York State.

Since the cost of electricity represents a considerable burden to local governments and their taxpayers, this report focuses on initiatives that reduce electric bills and the consumption of electricity overall, as well as the consumption of electricity generated through traditional methods.

Sales taxes are an important source of revenue for New York State's local governments. This revenue stream has helped local governments cope with the rising cost of providing services and mitigate property tax increases. Sales tax revenues now exceed the real property tax as the largest revenue source for counties.

This report examines some of the various options proposed to reduce local property tax growth.

The current global financial market crisis could have serious implications for New York’s local governments if access to the credit markets remains constrained. While many long-term implications for local government finances may occur as a result of the broader deterioration in the economy, the credit situation has produced a more immediate impact on liquidity – the ability of local governments to finance their short-term capital operations and cash flow needs. Local governments who are dependent on short-term debt for these purposes could face continued risks.