Local

Are Local Governments Approaching a Fiscal Cliff?

This report examines the ways that funding received by local governments – from federal stimulus programs – as well as volatile annual state and local revenue sources – can impact local budgeting. The temporary nature of the federal stimulus funds in combination with state aid that has not kept pace with inflation, sales tax growth that has returned to lower pre-pandemic levels, and flat property tax revenue growth can put local governments closer to the edge of the fiscal cliff if not carefully managed.

Former Avon Police Chief Pleads Guilty to Stealing Federal Funds

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that that Joseph Geer, 40, of Caledonia, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to theft of funds related to a federal program, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.

Local Sales Tax Collections Increased by 1.6 Percent in 2024

Sales tax collections for local governments and other local taxing entities in New York State totaled $23.4 billion in calendar year 2024, up 1.6 percent (or nearly $376 million) from the prior year. This increase not only marked the lowest year-over-year rate of growth in collections since the COVID-related decline in 2020, but it was less than half the average annual growth rate (3.8 percent) for the 2011 to 2019 period of recovery and expansion following the Great Recession.