The Erie County Legislature unanimously passed a resolution authorizing returning $3.7 million in sales tax revenue to the New York State Comptroller’s Office so they may distribute payments to Erie County towns that are missing their Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM) funding as part of the 2019 budget. The State Comptroller’s Office will receive the sales tax revenue and redistribute it to the towns and villages waiting for the funding. Several weeks ago, Legislators Rath, Dixon, Lorigo, and Mills introduced a resolution urging Governor Cuomo to re-instate AIM funding after it was not in the 2019 state budget. This is the second time this year that towns and villages were at risk of losing state aid.

Because of changes to state law this year, the New York State Comptroller’s Office couldn’t directly distribute funds to towns and villages. Because both Erie and Nassau counties have control boards, the sales tax revenue must first be passed to the boards. This completely altered the arrangement to fix the AIM funding problem. These payments are due in December and without them arriving in a timely manner town and village budgets could face huge gaps.

Legislator Lorigo said, “I am glad the appropriate parties addressed this in order to get Erie County towns and villages the funding they rely on. AIM funding is an important piece of our local municipalities’ budgets and it’s shameful that mistakes out of Albany could have cost them millions of dollars this year. I am hoping this agreement will ensure towns and villages receive the money by the December 15 deadline.”

Legislator Dixon said, “This is a move that will save local budgets. Moving forward, the towns and villages need this funding as promised. My colleagues and I are proud to support making sure we help fund the programs and services provided through AIM funding.”

Legislator Rath said, “Local municipalities that struggle to keep up with unfunded mandates largely depend on AIM funding to provide a number of programs and services. It is a relief to know they will receive this year’s anticipated funding.”

Legislator Mills said, “Thank you to all who worked together to make sure towns and villages receive this funding. Without it, millions of dollars are lost and towns and villages could be forced to cut services. My colleagues and I have monitored this situation closely and I look forward to making sure these payments are received in the coming weeks.”

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