This report summarizes the services and activities of the Division of Local Government and School Accountability. Our staff members in Albany and in our eight regional offices across the State are committed to promoting taxpayers’ interests by helping improve the fiscal management of New York’s local governments and schools.

The 2008 Annual Report on Local Governments introduces a new look to the annual local government financial data reported by every county, city, town, village, school district and fire district in New York State. In an effort to promote transparency and accountability, OSC has now made much of the data reported to it from 1996 to 2006 accessible through Open Book New York– a new, user-friendly website that also provides information on spending by State agencies, as well as all State contracts.

This report outlines major local government fiscal trends and highlights recent policy developments that affect their financial health. It also summarizes the services and activities of the Division of Local Government and School Accountability, where staff in Albany and eight regional offices across the State are committed to promoting taxpayers’ interests by helping to improve the fiscal management of local governments and schools within New York.

Highlighted within this report are some of the major fiscal trends in New York’s local governments and recent policy developments that affect their operations and financial health. This report helps illustrate the complex and changing environment in which local governments must operate, and the delicate balance local officials must achieve between service delivery and fiscal responsibility.

This report provides a summary of the Division’s activities and gives an overview of local government finances in New York State.

Total local sales tax collections in New York State grew by $552 million, or 3.6 percent, from 2014 to 2015 This was stronger than the 3.0 percent increase in the prior year. New York City sales tax collections grew by 7.3 percent, or $487 million, about half of which was due to an adjustment for incorrect payments in previous years. Excluding New York City, growth in local sales tax collections was 0.7 percent, with 30 of 57 counties outside of New York City having declines in their 2015 sales tax collections.

Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster and Sullivan counties make up New York’s Mid-Hudson region. Much of the region is suburban, with greater development near the Hudson River, Metro-North railroad stations and major roadways into New York City. Economically, the Mid-Hudson region is relatively prosperous: county median incomes and property values are both well above the State and national averages as are the costs of living and doing business there.

This report highlights the Central New York region’s geography, demographics, municipalities, economy and labor markets, and includes a discussion about what the future may hold for the region.