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State Agency Overtime Costs Increased 10.2% in 2024, Up 1.8M Hours Over 2023
New York State agency overtime costs increased 10.2% in 2024 for a total of $1.3 billion, while the number of overtime hours increased by 7.8%, or 1.8 million hours higher than the previous year, according to the annual report issued today by Comptroller DiNapoli examining state agencies’ overtime and workforce trends.
After a long-term decrease in staffing levels, the size of the state workforce, not including SUNY and CUNY, grew from 2023 by 3.7% in 2024, or 5,330 positions, to an average annual total of 151,309. This was the second year in a row the workforce increased, but headcount is still below where it was in 2019 and markedly lower than 15 years ago when it was over 177,000.
“Overtime continued to grow in 2024 despite increases to a workforce that remains below pre-pandemic staffing levels,” DiNapoli said. “New York needs to continue to attract and retain a range of diverse employees, and agencies need to ensure the use of overtime hours is justified and services are delivered safely and effectively for residents.”
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Tax Cap Remains at 2% for 2026
The 2026 property tax levy growth will be capped at 2% for local governments that operate on a calendar-based fiscal year, according to data released today by State Comptroller DiNapoli. This figure affects tax cap calculations for all counties, towns, and fire districts, as well as 44 cities and 13 villages.
"Allowable tax levy growth will be limited to 2% for a fifth consecutive year," DiNapoli said. “The challenge for local governments will be maintaining essential local services within this cap, while still dealing with higher prices for commodities and services and the potential impact of policy choices at the federal level."
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State Tax Receipts Higher Than Projections in First Quarter
State tax receipts totaled $33.2 billion through the first quarter of State Fiscal Year 2025-26, $580.5 million higher than the most recent Division of the Budget estimates. State tax collections were also $3.3 billion higher than the first quarter of 2024, according to the monthly State Cash Report released by Comptroller DiNapoli.
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Progress Made to Improve the Nourish New York Program
A recent audit from Comptroller DiNapoli found that the Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Department of Health have made significant progress in making needed improvements to the Nourish New York Program, which supplies surplus New York-grown agricultural products to populations in need through the state’s network of regional food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens for distribution to people experiencing food insecurity.
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Improvements Needed in Oversight of Homeless Shelters and Services
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has made some progress in improving its oversight of homeless shelters, particularly related to improving policies for regular shelter inspections and taking steps to ensure shelter violations were corrected, according to a follow-up report released by Comptroller DiNapoli. But another follow-up report found the agency has made limited progress in ensuring timely needs assessments and effectively assisting clients with the transition to permanent housing.
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Greene County Couple Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $35,000 in Pension Payments
A Greene County couple pleaded guilty to grand larceny for stealing over $35,000 in pension payments, Comptroller DiNapoli, Greene County District Attorney Joseph Stanzione, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced. As part of their plea agreement, they will pay full restitution.
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A U D I T S
- Oversight of the Nourish New York Program (Follow-Up)
- Oversight of Homeless Shelters (Follow-Up)
- Homeless Services Housing Needs Assessment (Follow-Up)
- Oversight of Disability Services (Follow-Up)
- New York City Department of Homeless Services – Oversight of Contract Expenditures of Church Avenue Merchants Block Association, Inc.
- Oversight of Contract Expenditures of Bowery Residents’ Committee (Follow-up)
- Farmland Protection Program
A L S O I N T H E N E W S
- Trump's budget cuts to cost New York State billions, with big hit to health care
- Heed report on adult care facilities, improve state oversight
- Audit reveals risks in adult care facilities
- Tesla change to limit shareholder suits slammed by New York officials
- Nourish NY guidelines now include honey and maple syrup
- DiNapoli report scrutinizes New York state's oversight of homeless shelters
- Greene Co. couple admits stealing pension payments, will pay $35K in restitution
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