The state makes what are called Aid and Incentives to Municipalities, or AIM, -related payments to cities, towns and villages, but it still hasn't figured out how to get some municipalities the money this year.

But the state comptroller's office says that, because of how the state re-wrote the law during this year's budget, it doesn't have the legal authority to disburse already allocated money to towns and villages in counties with control boards. Erie and Nassau are the two counties in the state with control boards in place.

This is especially relevant to towns right now, because their fiscal years end in January, and they are due payments from the state in December. The Erie County executive's office said the administration spoke again with the comptroller's office and the state Division of Budget.

Erie County said one possible solution would be the budget office fronting the money to the towns in December, likely from another funding source, and then recouping it as part of the sales tax reconciliation process next year. There are 24 towns in Erie County owed a total of $3.7 million, and another three in Nassau owed $6.5 million.

The comptroller's office said this is all the result of a legislative oversight, while DOB believes the current language of the law is sufficient.

If they go with the proposed solution, though, the legislature would likely be looking at amending the language when they return to session next year, so villages can get paid in May and this is fixed going forward.

DOB continues to insist it will ensure these municipalities will get the money, and that's about the extent to which it's talked about the issue. We also received a very brief statement from OSC that it is actively participating in talks to find a resolution.

The county said there is a call with affected municipalities planned for next week.