By Jill Terreri
Buffalo is not susceptible to fiscal stress, according to an analysis by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released today.
The city scored 16 percent in an analysis of various financial indicators, such as debt, the cost of employee wages and benefits, how much the city has in reserves, expenses, and operating deficits. In order to be classified has being susceptible to financial stress, a local government had to score at least 45 percent.
The stress tests are intended to create an "early warning" system for municipalities and school districts that have financial trouble on the horizon, DiNapoli said.
DiNapoli has done initial scoring for all local govenrments and school districts and found that 142 taxing jurisdictions are in some level of fiscal stress, including 16 counties, 18 towns, five cities, 16 villages and 87 school districts.
Buffalo's score was consistent with its peers, on average. While Buffalo was at 16 percent, an average of all other cities was also 16 percent. Cities in Western New York scored 13 percent, while large cities scored worse, at 24 percent.
Look up any local government or district here.