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DiNapoli Proposes Early Warning System To Identify Local Governments In Fiscal Stress
New Report Finds Cities' Financial Outlook Deteriorating; Contains Detailed Economic and Demographic Data for Cities
With a growing number of local governments facing significant fiscal stress, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced plans today to implement an early warning monitoring system that would identify municipalities and school districts experiencing signs of budgetary strain so that corrective actions can be taken before a full financial crisis develops.

"Local officials are struggling to cope with considerable economic challenges and structural budget imbalances and the situation may only get worse," said DiNapoli. "That's why my office is proposing an early warning system that will identify those headed down the path to fiscal crisis sooner and give local officials and the public sufficient time to discuss options for turning things around."

Using data already submitted by more than 4,000 local governments, DiNapoli's office will calculate and publicize an overall score of fiscal stress for municipalities and school district across the state. These scores will be used to classify whether a community is in "significant fiscal stress," "moderate fiscal stress," or "nearing fiscal stress." This system is based on a process that DiNapoli's auditors have been using to detect financial problems in communities.

The early warning system will include nine financial indicators, such as cash-on-hand and patterns of operating deficits, together with broader demographic information like population trends and tax assessment growth. DiNapoli plans to distribute the proposed system to officials in the state for their review during a 60-day comment period. DiNapoli will implement the system starting with those localities whose fiscal year ends December 31, 2012 and later apply it to villages and school districts whose fiscal years end at various periods throughout the year.

The proposed system was announced in conjunction with a report released by DiNapoli today that examines the demographic and financial trends of New York's 61 cities (excluding New York City) over the past three decades. The report found that many of New York's cities are struggling to balance budgets and revitalize deteriorating local economies. This report is the second in a series of reports examining local government finances and factors causing fiscal stress.

"Cities are struggling to keep their heads above water," said DiNapoli. "The fiscal challenges they face have evolved over many years and are systemic."

Since 1980 city expenditures have jumped $2.7 billion, while locally raised revenues increased by only $2.1 billion, according to the report. Cities historically relied on property taxes as their primary source of revenue to fund expenses. With property taxes outpacing housing values and income levels, many troubled cities are relying more on sales taxes and are increasing fees for services. Due to a stagnant economy, however, these new revenue sources have not kept pace with growing expenditures.

State aid has increased from 16 percent to 21 percent of total revenues for cities over three decades, while federal aid has declined from an average of 17.5 percent of total revenues to 6.8 percent. The level of growth in state aid has varied from one city to another.

Other findings in the report include:

For the 61 cities examined, overall population decreased by 15 percent since 1980. The loss was more profound in some regions. For example, Niagara Falls lost 30 percent of its population; Buffalo 27 percent; Rome 23 percent; Utica 18 percent; Elmira 17 percent; and Binghamton 15 percent.
Many cities suffered sizeable job losses between 1980 and 2010. Cities in the Buffalo-Niagara region lost 31,300; the Rochester area lost 14,200; and the Syracuse region lost 11,000.
By 2010, the state unemployment rate of 8.5 percent was exceeded in a number of cities around New York. This included: Buffalo (12.4 percent); Elmira (12.3); Gloversville (14); Utica (11.5); Rochester (11.7); Oswego (11.4); and Syracuse (10.2).
Since 1980, poverty rates in New York's cities have outpaced the statewide and national averages. The report found 48 cities exceeded the state average of 14.2 percent. The highest rates of poverty were found in Syracuse (31.1); Rochester (30.4); Buffalo (29.6); Utica (29); Binghamton (27.; Gloversville (27.5); and Newburgh (25..
The report includes extensive charts detailing specific economic and demographic information about New York's cities. For a copy of the report visit: http://osc.state.ny.us/localgov/pubs/fiscalmonitoring/pdf/nycreport2012.pdf

For more detailed information about DiNapoli's proposed fiscal stress monitoring system visit:http://osc.state.ny.us/localgov/pubs/fiscalmonitoring/pdf/fiscalstressmonitoring.pdf

To see DiNapoli's first report released in August on fiscal stress, click here.

DiNapoli's Division of Local Government and School Accountability collects and analyzes the annual financial reports, and where applicable, the property tax cap calculations, from local governments, school districts, public authorities, fire districts and other special taxing districts. It also is responsible for auditing more than 10,000 local government entities.

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DiNapoli: August Cash Report Shows Continued Economic Uncertainty
Tax receipts through August 2012 were $147 million below projections and $204.3 million below collections for the same period last year, reflecting continued volatile economic conditions, according to the August Cash Report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

“Almost half way through the state’s fiscal year, the state’s budget is still on relatively solid ground, but weak revenue collections and slow economic growth signal a need for caution going forward,” DiNapoli said. “While the state’s General Fund balance is above projections, primarily because of lower spending, stronger revenue growth in the last seven months of the fiscal year will be needed to meet year-end tax projections.”

All Funds tax collections of $24.7 billion through August were $147 million below revised Financial Plan projections and $118 million below initial projections through August from the Enacted Budget Financial Plan. Collections were 0.8 percent, or $204.3 million lower than last year for the same period. The main factors in the year-over-year decline were the $188.4 million, or 1.2 percent, decline in PIT collections and the $42.8 million, or 0.7 percent fall in consumption and use collections.

The General Fund ended August with a balance of $1.5 billion, or $273.5 million higher than projected in the Financial Plan updated in July.

Other findings from the August Cash Report include:

General Fund receipts (including transfers from other funds) of $22.3 billion through August 31 were 0.2 percent, or $40.9 million, higher than receipts from the same period last year. General Fund receipts were $27.7 million more than projections in the revised Financial Plan. General Fund tax collections totaled $16.7 billion, reflecting a decrease of $103.5 million, or 0.6 percent from last year for the same period, and $66 million lower than recently revised Financial Plan projections.
General Fund PIT collections through the first five months totaled $11.2 billion, representing a decline of 1.3 percent, or $149.5 million, from last year. Year-to-date PIT collections were $21.7 million lower than revised Financial Plan projections.
General Fund Consumption and use tax collections decreased 0.7 percent to $3.6 billion, and were $8 million higher than revised Financial Plan projections. General Fund business tax collections of $1.4 billion were $69.5 million, or 5.1 percent, more than collections through the same period last year, but $54 million below Financial Plan projections.
All Funds receipts of $49.5 billion were 5 percent, or $2.6 billion, lower than last year. Federal receipts are down by $2.8 billion, or 14.7 percent, so far this year, primarily due to decreased ARRA spending. Tax collections were $204.3 million lower than from the same period last year. These declines were partially offset by miscellaneous receipts, which increased $338.5 million or 4 percent from last year. All Funds receipts were $584 million higher than revised Financial Plan projections, primarily reflecting higher than expected federal receipts (by $537.4 million) and miscellaneous receipts ($193.6 million).
General Fund spending (including transfers to other funds) through August of $22.5 billion increased 2.2 percent, or $477.3 million, over the same period last year. Local assistance grants declined $153.6 million, or 1.1 percent, to $14.3 billion. Departmental Operations spending declined $253.3 million to $3.4 billion, and General State Charges increased $307.5 million to $1.8 billion compared to the same period last year, primarily due to the timing of reimbursements from other funds. General Fund spending was $246.1 million below Financial Plan projections.
All Funds spending of $47.4 billion through August 31 decreased 6 percent, or $3 billion, compared to the same period last year, largely reflecting the end of ARRA stimulus funds as well as timing issues.
The state’s finances are generally broken down by two main categories: General Fund and All Funds. The General Fund is the major operating fund of the state and accounts for all receipts that are not required by law to be deposited into another fund. All Governmental Funds includes General, Special Revenue, Debt Service and Capital Projects funds, as well as funds from the federal government.


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Internet: http://www.osc.state.ny.us
E-Mail: press@osc.state.ny.us
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Schenectady County overrides tax cap and proposes tax hike
Posted at: 10/01/2012 11:18 PM
By: Dan Bazile

SCHENECTADY -- Before unveiling the budget, lawmakers in Schenectady County held a special meeting to approve the tax cap override.

"This vote essentially allows the manager to submit a budget she believes preserve public safety and public services," said Schenectady County Legislator  Gary Hughes.

The 11-4 vote also paved the way for the county manager to propose a 7.49 percent tax hike in the 2013 budget. The tax cap is set by state law at 2 percent. But municipalities can override it with a 60 percent majority vote. Jim Buhrmaster, the lone Republican in the 15 member body said the public's message was loud and clear during a meeting on Friday.

"And three quarters of them all citizens, spoke against going above the tax cap," Buhrmaster said.

Buhrmaster said he's not in favor of the override nor the tax increase. He said the county needs to cut the size of government. But Hughes said they've been cutting for the past three years without increasing taxes. He blames the tough fiscal situation on mandates that are swallowing most of the county's revenue.

"92 Percent of that revenue goes to pay for our mandates which include Medicaid, public assistance, corrections, the jail, prosecution of criminals," Hughes said.

"There are some big things that aren't mandated that we've let grow and grow and grow. And we can't any longer," Buhrmaster argued.

The new budget proposal also calls for a number cuts, including 30 county jobs through attrition and the reorganization of certain programs.

The legislature will discuss the budget before voting on it. If approved, homeowners will be be paying $71 per year extra in county taxes with a home assessed value of $150 thousand.

Quoted from Admin

"92 Percent of that revenue goes to pay for our mandates which include Medicaid, public assistance, corrections, the jail, prosecution of criminals," Hughes said.

Quoted from GrahamBonnet

hughes says its ok just pay up

Quoted from GrahamBonnet

How did A-jello vote? NO I am sure- so why couldn't he persuade the rest of his colleagues to vote no if he is so effective? Because he is not effective. He is a faker.

Quoted from Dirt2

Where's the Metroplex bonanza of dollars?? Gary Hughes has overstayed his welcome.