Local Government and School Accountability
Multi-Year Financial Planning
All indications are that local governments are in for a bumpy ride in the next few years, even if this is the start of a period of economic recovery. High unemployment, reduced or capped State aid, and increased demand for social support present a "perfect storm" of reduced revenues and increased costs for existing services.
Multiyear financial planning can help local officials make decisions that will keep their governments solvent and healthy, and even help them make the case for the tough choices that must be made. The Comptroller has compiled a set of handy, easy-to-use tools designed to help elected officials and practitioners in all types of local governments get started:
- Assess your local government's current condition with this easy quiz
- Learn about multiyear planning with the updated online planning tutorial
- Use the municipal or school district spreadsheet-based planning template to help you on your way.
Questions? The Comptroller has staff available, both in the regional offices and at the central office or you can send an email to localgov@osc.state.ny.us.
Other helpful sources for multiyear planning information include:
- Information on the Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM) revenue sharing program and its multiyear planning requirements
- Local Government Management Guide on Multiyear Financial Planning (last updated 2007; includes fiscal performance planning information)
- Templates that meet AIM requirements for cities and relevant villages.