STATE BUDGET UPDATE

VIEW UPDATE (added 4-4-25) 

RESOURCES ASSOCIATED WITH ARPA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

• Act Now If You’re Behind on ARPA SLFRF: Non-Compliance Explained
• How to Report Obligations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaCpCt8K-1w&t=692s
• How to Prepare for the Reporting Deadline: https://www.nlc.org/article/2025/01/24/how-to-prepare-for-your-next-arpa-reporting-deadline/

RESOURCES ASSOCIATED WITH OBLIGATING ARPA FUNDS

Consistant with the final rule issued by the US Treasury, all ARPA funds must have been obligated by December 31, 2024. The information below will clarify the amended definition of "obligation" and several related issues.

• Obligating revenue replacement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9AlPZBVP34&t=559s
• Webinar and Slide Deck: Countdown to the ARPA SLFRF Obligation Deadline: What Local Governments Need to Know Before December 31, 2024 
• Obligate it or Lose it! Preparing for the Upcoming ARPA SLFRF Obligation Deadline
• Webinar: U.S. Department of the Treasury: State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds: New Obligation FAQs

WEBINAR QUESTIONS AND SLFRF FAQ REFERENCES
The updated obligation-related FAQs are found in the new Section 17: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule-FAQ.pdf

• What is an obligation? Please refer to Section 17 of the SLFRF FAQs for the latest information on the obligation requirement and how to meet the obligation deadline of December 31, 2024.
• Do subrecipients have an obligation deadline? No. Refer to FAQ 17.18.
• Are revenue loss funds automatically obligated? No. Refer to FAQ 17.15.
• Questions about personnel costs in 2025 and 2026: Refer to FAQs 17.6, 17.7, and 17.9.
• Questions about flexibilities for contracts after the obligation deadline: Refer to FAQs 17.16, 17.17, and FAQ 17.19.
• What if I have questions about legal and administrative costs after the obligation deadline? For more information on these expenses, refer to FAQs 17.10, 17.11, 17.12, and 17.13.
• What if my community has already obligated all of our SLFRF funds?  Please see FAQ 17.3 and 17.14.  Remember that all SLFRF recipients are required to continue to submit reports to Treasury as outlined in the SLFRF Compliance and Reporting Guidance.

FREEPORT
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23
(9:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m.)

While there is no charge for this in-person workshop, we ask that you please use the link to register so that we have an accurate headcount. This workshop is eligible for 3.0 elective credits for those enrolled in NYCOM's Elected Officials Academy.

Address: Freeport Recreation Center, Room 101, 130 East Merrick Road, Freeport, NY

This workshop will provide village and city officials with the knowledge and tools you need during your transition to public service and will enable you to hit the ground running. Seasoned officials in need of a refresher are also invited to attend. Registration includes all workshop materials and lunch.

AGENDA

9:30 a.m. - Welcoming Remarks: Mayor Robert Kennedy, Village of Freeport and Barbara Van Epps, NYCOM Executive Director

9:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - The Essentials of Village/City Government

• Roles and Responsibilities of Elected and Appointed Officials
• Open Meetings Law
• Running Effective Meetings
• Handling Municipal Records

Speakers: Wade Beltramo, NYCOM General Counsel and Rebecca Ruscito, NYCOM Counsel

11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Local Government Finance

• Property Taxes
• The Tax Cap
• Other Revenue Options
• State Aid
• The Budget Process
• Expenditure of Funds

Speakers: Brian Coffin, NYCOM Legislative Director and Barbara Van Epps, NYCOM Executive Director

12:15 p.m. - Networking Lunch

1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. - Public Integrity and Workforce Management

• Municipal Ethics
• Employee Relations

Speaker: John Mancini, NYCOM Counsel

2:15 p.m. - Workshop Concludes

TIME IS RUNNING OUT! CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS ABOUT INCREASED FUNDING FOR YOUR COMMUNITIES

VIEW UPDATE (added 3-27-25) 

SUNY Potsdam recently announced that it is offering microcredential programs to address targeted market needs. These programs will allow local government employees and candidates for employment to earn microcredentials in the areas of public sector grant writing and spatial data analysis with GIS. A microcredential is a short course of study that focuses on a particular skill. All microcredentials will launch this summer and will be offered online for maximum compatibility with work schedules. Course durations will vary from six weeks to two semesters.

Many smaller municipalities lack the resources to effectively research, apply for, and secure grants. Training in grant writing can help local governments access much-needed funding, while education in spatial data analysis with GIS enhances municipal planning and decision-making capabilities.
Additionally, these programs support the development of a workforce pipeline by preparing students for careers in local government. Enrolled college students, as well as individuals transitioning from the private to the public sector, will benefit from these opportunities to gain relevant, applicable skills that align with the needs of municipal employers.

More information on these programs can be found HERE.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025

GET RECOGNIZED!
Apply Now for NYCOM's Local Government Achievement Award
The New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM) is committed to highlighting municipal successes and sharing innovative projects and programs you have undertaken in your communities.

NYCOM’s Local Government Achievement Awards showcase innovative projects and programs undertaken by NYCOM member cities and villages that have improved quality-of-life,​ resulted in cost savings,​ established cooperative partnerships, created new or unique approaches to issues, and/or streamlined the delivery of services. Winning submissions will be recognized at NYCOM’s 116^th Annual Meeting at the Sagamore Hotel (May 28-30, 2025) and highlighted in an upcoming issue of NYCOM’s Municipal Matters magazine.

Questions regarding the program and/or transmitting the application should be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at (518) 463-1185.

View Application

SUMMARY OF ONE-HOUSE BUDGET BILLS

VIEW UPDATE (added 3-13-25) 

MUNICIPAL PARKS AND RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM
DEADLINE: MAY 2

View Grant Program Details

NEW YORK ENERGY SUMMIT
APRIL 7-9 | ALBANY CAPITAL CENTER, ALBANY, NY

REGISTER NOW (discount code:250417) | VIEW AGENDA 

Join State Authorities, Regulators & Key Stakeholders for a Comprehensive Look at the Critical Issues Impacting the Empire State’s Clean Energy Landscape

Infocast's New York Energy Summit returns to Albany in April 2025 with a remarkable roster of energy sector leaders to discuss the policy landscape and explore emerging opportunities on the path to achieving the state’s ambitious CES targets.

New York has become one of the most dynamic energy markets in the United States, with tremendous opportunities in the planning, developing, financing, and construction of utility-scale onshore and offshore generation, energy storage projects, community and C&I distributed energy resources, new transmission assets, clean energy manufacturing, and decarbonization projects across multiple sectors. However, only those keeping up with the latest developments in this rapidly evolving environment will be properly positioned to seize the very best opportunities on offer in the Empire State.

This meeting, like its well-regarded and well-attended predecessors in 2024 and 2023, is designed to let you hear the latest from a definitive group of New York policymakers, regulators, utility executives, developers, independent power producers and financiers. They will provide the best available discussion of the policies, plans, initiatives, opportunities and obstacles that will shape the Empire State’s energy landscape in 2025 and beyond.

Get the latest on issues such as resource valuation changes, domestic manufacturing and labor requirements, new momentum around the role of natural gas and nuclear power, and the impacts of a coming wave of power-intensive facilities—new manufacturing, data and AI centers, bit-coin miners—on grid planning. Hear how the growing tax equity and transferability markets are shaping project finance and investment, and how the risk appetites of capital providers and developers are shaping deals in the New York market.

The New York Energy Summit is your premier opportunity to network with over 400 regulators, market operators, utilities, renewable developers, and innovators from across the Empire State’s energy industry.

NYSERDA ENERGY STORAGE WEBINAR
May 7 (3:00-5:00pm)

New York’s Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group Webinar: Deploying Safe Lithium-Ion Energy Storage in Your Community

REGISTER FOR WEBINAR

New York’s Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group (FSWG) is pleased to share that it will be hosting an informational public webinar for local government officials navigating energy storage development in their communities on May 7, 2025. The FSWG will discuss critical fire safety considerations, regulatory updates, and best practices in the field, along with specific recommendations for local action.

The FSWG, established in July 2023 by Governor Kathy Hochul, has been working diligently to strengthen safety measures for lithium-ion battery energy storage systems throughout the State. This session will provide valuable insights into the work that has been done so far and highlight immediate actions that can be taken by Authorties Having Jurisdiction to ensure the safe and responsible development of energy storage in their communities. These measures are especially important during the interim period before the next iteration of the Uniform Code takes effect.

Energy storage plays a crucial role in maintaining a reliable, safe, and affordable electric grid in New York. Local governments have significant authority and discretion in ensuring that battery energy storage systems are deployed safely, minimizing potential hazards. By leveraging existing safety measures within their control, local governments can help accelerate New York’s clean energy transition while ensuring that critical projects enhance grid reliability and resilience without unnecessary delays.

More guidance for local governments, including a Battery Energy Storage System model law, can be found in NYSERDA’s Energy Storage Guidebook for Local Governments.

A Q&A will follow the presentation, and the webinar will be recorded and posted on the FSWG website as soon as practicable.

397 Mayors Sign NYCOM Letter to State Leaders Calling for Increase in AIM Funding

VIEW LETTER (updated 3-24-25)

ARPA RESOURCES

CYBERSECURITY RESOURCES

APPLICATIONS OPEN APRIL 7, 2025

Public sector organizations work tirelessly to create innovative, engaged, and supportive workplaces that attract and retain top talent. The Top Public Sector Employer (TPSE) Awards celebrate these efforts, recognizing organizations that go above and beyond to create exceptional environments for their employees and communities.The TPSE Award Program is an annual program honoring innovative public organizations excelling in employee engagement, leadership, and workplace excellence. Evaluated across seven categories, winners gain national recognition, grant eligibility, and enhanced recruitment credibility.

Click HERE for application information.

VIEW LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM (added 12-27-24)

2025

View the publication HERE.

EFC IS ACCEPTING LISTINGS FOR THE CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND | DUE: MAY 30

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation is preparing its Intended Use Plan for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026, which begins October 1, 2025. Municipalities are invited to list new projects through May 30, 2025. The project listing and an approvable engineering report consistent with the Engineering Report Outline (effective 10/1/2024) must be submitted no later than May 30, 2025 in order to be included on the 2026 Annual List and eligible for financing in FFY 2026. Listing forms received after this date will be processed for inclusion on the 2027 Intended Use Plan.

Any projects included in the 2025 Intended Use Plan that do not have a recent financing application or a closed financing will receive a request from EFC to provide updated project information. Completing the provided update form is required, a new listing form is not needed for these projects.

EFC is proud to provide low-cost financial assistance for water quality projects in New York State and we look forward to working with you on your projects. If you have questions, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Alex Brunelle, Program Coordinator, at (518) 402-6924.