Governor Paterson, working with Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, signed legislation that makes it easier for taxpayers themselves to dissolve or consolidate their local government. To assist taxpayers in applying the new law, the NYS Department of State (DOS) has developed a Citizen’s Guide to Petitioning for Local Government Consolidation and Dissolution. Press Release.
The State has already helped several local governments become more efficient and cost-effective - sharing costs across municipal borders: consolidating services: and streamlining operations and procedures.
The Department of State (DOS) just awarded 63 grants to local governments throughout the State to help them reform and modernize their operations. And with the State’s help several local governments have already consolidated services, providing direct property tax relief to local taxpayers.
Here are a few state/local success stories:
City of Batavia Merges Police Information and Dispatch Systems:
The City of Batavia received a grant from DOS to merge the city’s police information and dispatch systems into the County. The City saved $237,000 in the first fiscal year – that’s 4.7% of the City’s entire tax collection.
Town of Evans/ Village of Angola Police Department Consolidation:
The Town of Evans received a grant from DOS to merge the Village and the Town’s police department. The Village is saving $286,000 annually. And the overall property tax burden for Village and Town residents was reduced by 3.4%.
Village of Pike Merges into the Town of Pike
The Village of Pike received an $83,700 grant from DOS to study the dissolution of the village. After the study, residents voted to dissolve the Village. A typical household will save $42 annually on their tax bill.
City of Albany Cooperative Prescription Benefit Plan
The City of Albany received a $299,000 grant from DOS to join neighboring Rensselaer County in a cooperative prescription drug plan called NYRx. So far, NYRx has generated annual cost savings of over $1 million for Rensselaer County on prescription drugs for government health care plans -- and lower government health care costs mean property tax relief for local taxpayers.
Town of Eastchester and Villages of Bronxville and Tuckahoe Shared Sewer Infrastructure Technology
Three municipalities in Westchester County reduced sewer maintenance and repair costs by jointly purchasing camera equipment that detects leaks and sources of inflow and infiltration. The municipalities are saving $60,000 a year.
North Colonie Merges School Districts
The North Colonie Central School District in Albany County annexed the neighboring Maplewood – Colonie Common School District, improving the financial condition of both and saving $300,000 annually.
Erie County “Southtowns” Water Supply Consolidation
Six municipalities in Erie County “Southtowns” joined together to conduct a joint engineering study into connecting to the Erie County Water Authority’s Lake Erie Pipeline. From that study, the municipalities received funding for water supply infrastructure that can save these communities as much as $7-14 million in capital and operating costs, depending on the level of participation.
Learn More from the DOS Local Government Efficiency Program 2008-2009 Annual Report
Governor Paterson established a central clearinghouse of information to make it easier for local governments and schools to take advantage of the State’s energy efficiency programs. Learn More >> Governor Paterson also directed a large portion of the State Energy Program funds it received from the federal stimulus package to local governments and schools. Learn More >> These programs will help local governments cut their energy bills and provide property tax relief.
