UTICA, N.Y. -- The state budget is passed and in place, but with it come huge fiscal headaches for county government, local government and possibly, in the end – taxpayers, according to Senator Joe griffo and Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente.
Officials held a press conference Thursday about the effects of changes in aid to municipalities.
Griffo and Picente are concerned about changes in how Aid and Incentives to Municipalities, or A.I.M., will be distributed. Localities depend on that AIM funding every year.
Senator Griffo says $59 million in AIM funding was restored in the budget, but at the expense of the counties, who must pick up the cost. He says counties will have to use a new internet tax to make up for aim funding, so that tax can't be used for important needs like road repair.
Could the cost burden of making up for that AIM aid shift trickle down to taxpayers?
"Hopefully that will not happen because you have good leadership here and they're trying, they're cognizant of the tax burden and this is just wrong and yes, it could have a detrimental impact potentially on our towns, villages and county,” said Griffo.
Griffo says there is a mechanism in place via supplemental appropriations to fix this new formula. So it's possible, but he doesn't seem optimistic, although it's something he'll push for.