Thursday, August 13th
(4:00 p.m.)

REGISTER HERE
As you know, our state risks missing out on billions of dollars in federal investments and Congressional representation if our response rates are low. We need both federal investments and Congressional representation now more than ever to ensure an equitable recovery from the health, economic, and budgetary crises caused by COVID19.

NYCOM invites you to participate in a briefing on how you can help increase Census 2020 self-response rates in New York State ahead of the start of the US Census Bureau’s in-person enumeration the week of August 11. Topics of discussion will include:

   • The Federal Administration's recently-issued policy memorandum on the count of undocumented immigrants and what that means for the Census count
   • A summary of COVID-related changes to the Census Bureau's operations and timeline
   • Self-response patterns in New York State
   • Best practices on Census messaging
   • Actions and next steps your office can take to support full count efforts

This briefing was developed together with the New York Immigration Coalition in partnership with Census Counts, NY Counts 2020, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), Hispanic Federation, and the Asian American Federation. 

VIEW UPDATE (added 8-6-20) 

Dear NYCOM Member:

After thoughtful consideration, we sadly announce that NYCOM's 65th Annual Fall Training School that was planned for Lake Placid, September 21-25, will not be held as an in-person event. Instead, we are transforming this year's "Fall School" into a first-class virtual event, September 22-24, with the unique training and networking opportunities you have come to expect from NYCOM.

This decision is made with a heavy heart, but is being done in keeping the health and safety of our members, the municipal vendor community, and NYCOM staff the top priority. Additional factors also worked against holding an in-person event, including the 50-person limit on gatherings, travel restrictions placed on local officials, budget cuts, personal health concerns, and uncertainty over what future state-imposed COVID-related restrictions will entail.

But, just as our member cities and villages do, NYCOM will be nimble and creative in making the most of a challenging situation. We have a lot in store for the Virtual Fall School, and we’ll bring you all the details in the coming weeks as we further develop and finalize the program with our conference partners at the Office of the State Comptroller, the NYS Association of City and Village Clerks, and the New York State Society of Municipal Finance Officers. Rest assured, there will continue to be a role for municipal vendors, so you will still have the opportunity to learn about their products and services.

We sincerely appreciate your understanding and we welcome any feedback or questions you may have. Please stay tuned for announcements regarding Virtual Fall School and we hope you will be able to join us. Thank you for all that you do for your communities and, above all else, stay healthy!

Sincerely,
Peter A. Baynes
NYCOM Executive Director 

• Senate Leaders Release New Stimulus Proposal
• HEALS Act Would Provide $0 in New Aid for Local Governments

VIEW ADVOCACY UPDATE (7-28-20)

VIEW UPDATE (added 7-28-20)

Sales tax revenue for local governments in New York state dropped 27.1 percent in the second quarter compared to the same period last year, according to State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Sales tax collections from April through June totaled $3.3 billion, which was $1.2 billion less than last year.

VIEW REPORT (added 7-28-20)

This email is to make you aware that earlier today the Office of the State Comptroller announced that the allowable levy growth factor (tax cap) for those local governments with fiscal years beginning on January 1, 2021, will be 1.56%. This is due to the fact that pursuant to the tax cap law, the allowable levy growth factor is 2% or the CPI, whichever is less. The CPI is currently 1.56%.

Rest assured that given the current economic environment and the financial strain being felt by local governments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, NYCOM continues to seek ways in which the state can provide you with the additional tools and flexibility you need to navigate these incredibly challenging times.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

View the following Election and Organizational Meetings materials:

• September Village Election Calendar of Dates 
• Village Elections FAQs
• Village Official Year and Organizational Meeting

View Recorded 2020 Village Election Update Webinar (available to NYCOM members only-contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for member access).

NYCOM continues to lobby for inclusion of a significant infusion of direct federal funding to local and state governments in the next round of federal stimulus currently being discussed in Washington. While our message is being heard and the New York delegation has expressed support of our position, this funding remains in doubt and we must continue to provide our federal leaders with the mounting evidence of the impact COVID-19 is having on municipal revenues. Therefore, I urge you to prepare and send copies of the sample letter linked below (including your estimates of lost revenue due to COVID-19) to your member of the House of Representatives, Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand and President Trump (via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs). The economic renewal of our communities and our state depends upon the federal government successfully and immediately enacting a package of federal funding to all local governments. Thank you for your support in this critically important effort. If you have any questions, please contact Peter Baynes or Barbara Van Epps at the NYCOM office (518) 463-1185.

VIEW SAMPLE LETTER (updated 6-24-20)

Sneak Peak of NYCOM's Municipal Matters quarterly magazine (Vol. 3, No. 4):

• Municipal Operations During COVID-19: Risk Management Lessons Learned
• Social [Distance] Media: Communicating with Constituents During a Crisis
• Life After Lockdown: Helping Your Community Adjust to the New Normal

Upcoming and Recorded

• Accessing Federal Funding from FEMA
• 2020 Village Elections Update: Clarifying the Independent Petitioning Process and the Calendar of Dates
• Public Access to Police Disciplinary Records
• Reopening Local Governments
• Reopening NY’s Restaurants
• Securing Federal Funding in a Time of Crisis
• Helping Local Businesses During the COVID Pandemic
• Workforce Management in the Shadow of a Pandemic
• Enforcing the Governor's COVID Executive Orders & the Procedure for Issuing Local COVID-Related Emergency Orders
• Conducting Meetings & Public Hearings During the COVID-19 Pandemic

CLICK HERE TO VIEW RECORDED WEBINARS AND HANDOUTS
(NYCOM MEMBERS ONLY) Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for member access.

VIEW GUIDANCE DOCUMENT (added 6-11-20) 

Managing Protests, Large Events and Mass Gatherings

View article from NYCOM's Municipal Matters Magazine by Wade Beltramo, NYCOM General Counsel