2008 - 2009 Local Government Efficiency Grant Program Awards
New York State Department of State
Division of Local Government
2008 - 2009 Local Government Efficiency Grant Program Awards
FUNDED
Total $10,136,198.52
Western New York
Town of Alden - $25,000
Town and Village of Alden Consolidated Justice Court, Code Enforcement, and Emergency Services Study
The Town of Alden will explore the feasibility of consolidating its justice court, building inspection and code enforcement, and fire/EMS functions with the village of Alden. The goal is to achieve a more efficient and cost-effective delivery of these services.
Village of Blasdell - $400,000
Consolidation of eight Water Districts and Conveyance of Blasdell Water Department to Erie County Water Authority
The Village of Blasdell will consolidate eight individual water districts and transfer ownership of its water system to the Erie County Water Authority (ECWA), saving over $570 thousand annually for capital improvements and operations.
Buffalo Sewer Authority - $414,615
Buffalo Sewer Authority and Town of Amherst Shared Wastewater Treatment
The Buffalo Sewer Authority (BSA) will utilize its excess capacity by processing residual solids from the Town of Amherst’s wastewater treatment facility. Amherst will decommission a portion of their facility, saving approximately $1.8 million in annual operating costs and will result in a net annual savings of over $1.1 million for the town.
Canaseraga Central School District - $3,150
School Records Management Shared Services Analysis
The Canaseraga, Cattaraugus-Little Valley, and Randolph Academy School Districts will review the feasibility of sharing records management services. This will include identification of current practices and recommendations on the best opportunities for the schools to share or consolidate services and provide a streamlined service.
Cattaraugus-Allegany-Erie-Wyoming BOCES - $29,970
Consolidated Business Office Feasibility Study
The Cattaraugus-Allegany-Erie-Wyoming BOCES will explore the feasibility of centralizing the business operations of six member school districts. This could result in greater efficiency and cost savings.
Erie2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - $182,895
Establishment of a Centralized Business Operation
The BOCES and six school districts will establish a central business office, to reduce operational expenses and improve the efficiency of the accounts payable, payroll and claims auditing services. The grant will be used to fund transitional costs associated with implementation of the consolidation.
Town of Evans - $400,000
Consolidation of the Town of Evans Water Department with the Erie County Water Authority
The Town of Evans will enter into a lease-management agreement with the Erie County Water Authority (ECWA) for the operation and maintenance of the town’s water system. It is anticipated that this will save the town approximately $666,000 annually.
Town of Grand Island - $25,000
Grand Island Shared Maintenance Facility Feasibility Study
The Town of Grand Island will explore the feasibility of combining the Parks, Maintenance, and Transportation Department and with the school district’s Maintenance and Transportation Department. The goal is to eliminate the need to replace two existing facilities and reduce overall expenditures on vehicle maintenance.
Town of Hamburg - $400,000
Consolidation of 38 Water Districts and Ownership Transfer of Water System to the Erie County Water Authority
The Town of Hamburg will consolidate 38 individual water districts and transfer ownership of its water system to the Erie County Water Authority (ECWA), saving an excess of $1 million annually for capital improvements and operations. Taxpayers are projected to save of up to $185 per year for 20 years.
Village of Holley - $24,975
Village of Holley and Town of Murray Highway/Public Works Departments Consolidation Study
Faced with a continuing population decline, an aging workforce nearing retirement, and increases in overall costs of government, the village and town will examine the benefits of consolidating the highway and public works employees, equipment, buildings and other services.
City of Jamestown - $400,000
City of Jamestown and Chautauqua County Sheriff Policy Consolidation
The City of Jamestown will work with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office to develop a consolidated police force, eliminating the need for taxpayers to support both City and County police forces. The grant will fund professional services, new equipment and cost-sharing with the County to level the pay scales of officers.
Village of LeRoy - $272,882
Consolidation of Police Information Systems and Dispatch with Genesee County
The Village of LeRoy will consolidate its police information systems and dispatch operations with those of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. The project is anticipated to save village taxpayers about $206,000 per year, or 13.26% of the village tax levy. Consolidation will also improve service as a result of better equipment, staffing and inter-agency coordination.
Town of Newstead - $400,000
Newstead and Akron Municipal Services Consolidation Project
Building on the success of the ongoing process of merging highway departments, the town and village will continue to consolidate and merge a variety of duplicative services. This project will reduce municipal operating expenses and increase service efficiency and delivery, ultimately saving valuable local resources and taxpayer dollars.
Village of Perry - $22,500
Village and Town Shared Services Feasibility Study
The Village and Town of Perry will determine the feasibility of consolidating highway services, clerk’s offices and planning and zoning departments. The goal is to reduce operating costs while maintaining the existing level of public services.
Town of Portville - $336,024
Shared Fueling Program
The Town of Portville, the Village of Portville, the Portville CSD, the Portville and West Mills Fire districts will consolidate all individual fueling services under consolidated management. The partners will pool their transportation funds saving on bulk fuel purchases and costs associated with NYD DEC site inspections.
City of Tonawanda - $25,000
City of Tonawanda and City of North Tonawanda Wastewater Treatment Consolidation Feasibility Study
The City of Tonawanda will explore the feasibility of diverting peak wastewater flows to the City of North Tonawanda’s wastewater treatment plant. This will include an assessment of the cost and feasibility of connecting Tonawanda’s sewer system with that of the City of North Tonawanda.
Wyoming County - $100,800
Countywide Highway Maintenance Consolidation
Wyoming County and 16 constituent towns will consolidate the “over the guide rail” highway maintenance activities, including tree and brush removal. The towns will no longer be responsible for performing such services. An intermunicipal agreement will be executed to specify the responsibilities of the municipalities and the activities to be undertaken to improve highway maintenance and lower the cost of government.
Southern Tier/Finger Lakes
Addison Central School District - $23,400
Municipal Collaboration and Shared Services Study
The Addison Central School District and the Village and Town of Addison perform a shared services assessment to determine where the three local government municipalities can cooperate more effectively in administrative services and vehicle maintenance. The study’s recommendations will form the basis for long term planning and goal setting to operate more efficiently and hold the line on tax increases.
Town of Cohocton - $23,274
Cohocton-Wayland-Atlanta-North Cohocton EMS Consolidation Study
The Towns of Wayland and Cohocton, the Villages of Wayland and Cohocton, and the Atlanta-North Cohocton Fire District will undertake a feasibility study to identify the cost savings and productivity enhancements that would result from consolidating the operations of three ambulance and EMS services. Options to be considered will include: consolidation into a single ambulance district, consolidating the current service delivery network to two districts, or retaining the current network of three districts but with operational changes.
Corning Painted Post Area School District - $22,500
Consolidated Fleet Management Assessment
The Corning-Painted Post School District and the City of Corning will determine if it will be economically feasible and administratively practical to combine the two individual fleet maintenance facilities into a consolidated facility. Both municipalities have existing facilities that are outdated, undersized, energy inefficient, and need to be replaced. A consolidated facility will provide a more efficient and cost effective municipal fleet maintenance operation and save money for the taxpayers.
Corning-Painted Post Areas School District - $72,000
Joint Fueling Program and Facility
The Corning-Painted Post School District and the Village of Painted Post will consolidate their separate gasoline fueling facilities into a single facility. This will eliminate lengthy round trips to obtain fuel by the school district vehicles. The LGE funds will be used to upgrade the facility to meet all required safety and environmental requirements, as well as consolidate this function.
Town of Fayette - $25,000
Seneca County Countywide Zoning Code Enforcement Pilot
Seneca County has had consolidated Building Code Enforcement since the 1980s. Due to overlap in jurisdictions and duties, the Town of Fayette and the Seneca County are now exploring the cost-effectiveness and potential service delivery efficiencies possible with the functional consolidation of town and village administration and enforcement of Municipal Zoning and Site Planning Review at the County Level. This award will offset the costs of this pilot program, and develop recommendations regarding statutory authorization.
Steuben County - $335,520
Information Technology Consolidation
Steuben County will consolidate and upgrade Information Technology (IT) support and maintenance services over a 3 year phased timeframe for the City of Corning, the Town and Village of Bath and the County. The project will provide technical assistance, web site development and on-line automated payment capability for the four municipalities. The benefit to the partners includes potential economic revitalization for an area of the state with limited internet access and tourism exposure, as well as building consistency in support and maintenance of IT operations, improved transparency of government and convenience in accessing local government information.
Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES - $28,000
Service Delivery Efficiency Study
While implementing the centralization of business office practices, Tompkins-Seneca Tioga-BOCES and the school districts of Lansing, Dryden, Groton, Ithaca, and South Seneca will study other opportunities for efficiencies, including transportation.
Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES - $163,375
TST BOCES Central Business Office Implementation
The Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES will host the Centralized Business Operations (CBO) for 4 component school districts – Dryden, Ithaca, Lansing, and South Seneca. The CBO will eliminate redundancies in administration, create operational efficiencies in terms of staff specialization, and implement industry recognized best practices. The LGE grant will be used for start up costs – reconfiguration of space, computer and office equipment, migration of the districts to a common accounting system, and training.
Central New York
Town of Andes - $19,575
Town of Andes and Town of Bovina Consolidated Services Assessment
The Town of Andes and the Town of Bovina will study potential opportunities for shared or consolidated town services.
Broome County - $33,750
County-Wide Code Enforcement Study
In response to concerns about the efficiency and cost effectiveness of enforcement of the Unified Fire Prevention and Building Code in Broome County, the County will assess potential consolidation of this function. The feasibility study will analyze the administrative, fiscal, legal and political considerations incidental to cooperative code enforcement.
Village of East Syracuse - $25,000
Village of East Syracuse and the Town of DeWitt Shared Services Study
The Village of East Syracuse and the Town of DeWitt will explore regional opportunities to expand shared services. This will include a roadmap for shared municipal services which will result in lower cost or improved efficiency, including functional consolidation.
Village of East Syracuse - $25,000
Police Consolidation Study
Town of DeWitt and Village of East Syracuse will assess the best way to provide police services within the town and village. This will potentially include a functional consolidation of these services.
Village of Fayetteville - $20,000
Village of Fayetteville and Village of Manlius Consolidated Fire District Study
The Villages of Fayetteville and Manlius will evaluate the feasibility of unifying under a single consolidated fire district. This regional approach to public safety will examine the administrative, operational, and financial implications connected with the creation of a joint fire district. Included in this analysis will be the Village of Manlius Fire Department , the Village of Fayetteville Fire Department, the Fayetteville Fire Protection District of the Town of Manlius, the Manlius Fire Protection District and the Town of Pompey Fire Protection District.
Village of Manlius - $311,939
Village of Manlius and Town of Manlius Consolidation Sewer Services
The Village and Town of Manlius will implement a functional consolidation of its existing shared sewer services. This consolidation will utilize a regional approach to service delivery will include transferring a shared sewer line to Onondaga County.
Village of Prospect - $26,000
Joint Water System Operation and Maintenance Study
The Villages of Barneveld, Prospect, and Remsen maintain separate public water systems and incur the expense of part-time water system operators. Together, these municipalities will examine a regional approach to water system operations. This study will examine the potential cost savings, efficiencies, and potential improved protection of the quality and safety of their respective water supplies through sharing the cost of a full-time water system operator.
Town of Van Buren - $13,470
Town of Van Buren, Village of Baldwinsville and Lakeside Fire District and Emergency Medical Services Study
In order to continue to provide high quality fire and EMS service within the community, the Town, Village and Lakeside Fire District shall conduct a study and analysis of existing operations and identify new alternatives to improve the efficiency and potentially reduce the long-term costs of these services. This study will examine the operational, administrative and financial efficiency of the fire and EMS system within the community and other regional linkages.
Town of Union - $190,431
Consolidated Planning and Building Department
The Town of Union, Village of Johnson City, and the Village of Endicott will consolidate the code enforcement and the planning departments of the three municipalities. With the possible dissolution of the Village of Johnson City the town is preparing for the possibility of assuming several village departments and services. This will also implement a unified comprehensive plan and a zoning ordinance developed between the Johnson City and Union.
Town of Windsor - $165,000
Town of Windsor/Town of Kirkwood Shared Sewage Treatment Facility
The Towns of Windsor and Kirkwood will consolidate three existing sewage treatment facilities into one facility. The towns will also combine the two sewer districts into one, to be maintained and managed by the Town of Windsor. One treatment facility will allow the consolidation of tasks such as monitoring, operator training, permit renewal, and reporting.
Adirondacks/North Country
Village of Edwards - $45,000
Village of Edwards Dissolution Study
The Village of Edwards will develop and review the financial implications of potential dissolution into the Town of Edwards. This project will provide the Village Board, and potentially village residents with needed information to determine whether or not to move forward with the question of dissolving the village.
Village of Gouverneur - $24,750
Village and Town of Gouverneur Consolidated Municipal Services Study
The Village and Town of Gouverneur will explore regional opportunities that may exist for consolidation and shared services. The study objective is to focus on those opportunities to reduce costs and improve efficiency through the complete functional consolidations of municipal services.
Village of Hudson Falls - $49,500
Village of Hudson Falls Service Delivery and Dissolution Study
The purpose of this study is to assess the potential cost savings and service impacts associated with restructuring the delivery of Village services. The findings of the study will guide the Village Trustees' decisions as they explore Village dissolution.
Lewis County - $45,000
Lewis County Water and Sewer Authority Feasibility Study
The county is considering the best options for providing water and wastewater services to its residents. This project will determine the feasibility of establishing a water and sewer authority to provide shared services and potential budgetary savings for several small systems in Lewis County.
St. Lawrence County - $26,000
Shared Highway Services Study
St. Lawrence County and other stakeholders will conduct a study to determine the potential costs and benefits associated with a consolidated highway program. This study will analyze the need for and benefit of highway services and focus on actual financial savings, reducing environmental hazards, and public safety concerns of existing facilities.
Village of Waddington - $25,000
Village of Waddington Dissolution Study
The Village will develop a dissolution study that will provide factual information to residents and officials of the Village and Town of Waddington on all viable governmental options related to dissolution and/or the consolidation services.
Capital Region
Town of East Greenbush - $400,000
Joint Wastewater Treatment Program
The Town of East Greenbush, in cooperation with Rensselaer County, the create a joint municipal agreement to authorize the sharing of sewer services and develop the engineering and design specifications for the development of appropriate intermunicipal connections.
Schenectady County - $1,000,000
Consolidated Emergency Dispatch
Schenectady County will consolidate emergency dispatch operations with the City of Schenectady, Town of Glenville, Town of Duanesburg, Town of Niskayuna, Town of Princetown, Town of Rotterdam, Village of Delanson, Village of Scotia. This project, as recommended by the 2007 NYS-funded feasibility study, will create improved, consistent emergency dispatch service delivery, streamlines administration and municipal cost savings.
Village of Schuylerville - $34,650
Village of Schuylerville Dissolution Plan
The Village will develop a dissolution plan to serve as a decision-making tool for the village residents to determine whether or not to dissolve village government. This plan will outline the fiscal and non-fiscal advantages of dissolution, identify how village services will be continued and establish an orderly process for the disposition of village assets should the village government be dissolved.
City of Watervliet - $50,000
Water System Consolidation
The grant project will fund the initial tasks needed to develop recommendations for City Charter changes and options for the best legal and financial structure between the town and the city necessary to create, build and operate a water supply and water treatment plant.
Long Island
Town of Brookhaven - $25,000
Shared Recreation Program Assessment
The Town of Brookhaven will conduct a needs assessment of the athletic fields and recreational needs in the town, its 18 public school districts, 8 incorporated villages and 52 unincorporated hamlets. The project involves an intensive inventory of current needs and services, and how town-wide needs may be satisfied and cost savings and revenues increased by more efficient shared use of existing facilities.
Connetquot Central School District - $45,000.00
Regional Transportation Program
The Connetquot Central School District will explore using the BOCES Regional Transportation Program to meet district private, parochial and special needs transportation. The study will include a cost analysis of current out-of-district transportation costs for these routes as compared to their consolidation them with neighboring school districts.
Village of Farmingdale - $25,000
Shared Water Systems Study
The Village of Farmingdale will develop feasibility and implementation plans for a shared public water system with the South Farmingdale Water District. The planning study will detail how technical, managerial and financial capacity can be improved through cooperative efforts to continue the successful operation of a water supply system.
Lindenhurst Union Free School - $45,000.00
Health Insurance and Prescription Pooling Plan
Lindenhurst Union Free School, on behalf of the school districts of Suffolk County, will conduct a feasibility study exploring the possibility of pooling its buying power for health and prescription benefits for employees and retirees of 69 school districts of Suffolk. The study will include a cost analysis of current health insurance plans, including current plans engaged by Suffolk school districts, and a study of implications of developing a county-wide self-insurance plan.
Nassau BOCES - $1,000,000
Consolidated School Support Services
Nassau BOCES, with direct support from Nassau County, will share four educational support functions: purchasing; information technology and telecommunications; out-of-district transportation; and internal audit. The project will include at least 40 of the county's 56 independent school districts.
Nassau County - $600,000
Villages of Lawrence and Cedarhurst Wastewater Consolidation
Nassau County will work with the Villages of Lawrence and Cedarhurst to develop engineering and design specifications for consolidation of wastewater facilities with the Bay Park wastewater facilities. It is anticipated that this consolidation will produce over $17 million in savings and will improve local receiving waters by eliminating multiple effluent points.
Village of Patchogue - $355,500
Consolidated Stormwater Management Services
The Villages of Patchogue and Bellport will consolidate their stormwater management programs, improving operational and maintenance services. It is anticipated that this will save these communities over $1,000,000.
Hudson Valley
Town of Chester - $25,000
Police Consolidation Study
The Town and Village of Chester will analyze police operations and potential areas for consolidation and shared services. The study will examine ways that more efficiently provide police services and increase the quality of service delivery while saving tax dollars.
Greene County - $24,750
Mountaintop Ambulance Shared Services Feasibility Study
Greene County with the towns of Ashland, Jewett, Lexington, Prattsville and Windham, will examine alternatives for improving ambulance service on the Mountaintop. Among other aspects, the study will look at cost reduction and service improvement.
City of Middletown - $26,000
Orange County Municipalities Health Benefits Consolidation Project
The Orange County municipalities of Middletown, Otisville and Wawayanda will identify options for the consolidation of municipal employee and retiree health benefits plans. The participating municipalities project that the study will result in significant reductions in health care benefits costs as well as enhanced access to quality health care services.
Village of Millbrook - $600,000
Shared Water and Wastewater Services
The Village of Millbrook and the Town of Washington will develop a single water and sewer system. The grant will support the engineering and remediation activities needed for the joint water and sewer system.
Town of New Paltz - $49,500
Municipal Shared Services and Consolidation Study
The Town and Village of New Paltz will assess potential municipal shared service and consolidation opportunities to improve governmental efficiency and lower taxes. This project will consider all potential governance models and incorporate recommendations that will produce better government for the benefit of all current and future citizens.
City of New Rochelle - $25,000
Technology Efficiency Project
The City of New Rochelle and School District of New Rochelle will develop the Technology Efficiency Project to identify cost efficiencies and service improvements through joint implementation of technology services. The feasibility study will assess the technology needs citywide and district wide, capital and operational outlays for technology services, procurement policies and practices and outline various models for the improved provision of technology services.
Nyack Union Free School District (UFSD) - $27,000
Rockland School Districts Pupil Transportation Consolidation Project
A coalition of Rockland County School Districts, including Nanuet UFSD, Nyack UFSD, Pearl River UFSD, and the South Orangetown CSD, will conduct a feasibility study to consolidate their pupil transportation services.
Village of Ossining - $26,000
Shared and Consolidated Public Works and Highway Study
The Town of Ossining, the Village of Ossining and the Village of Briarcliff Manor will develop potential options to reduce public works and highway department costs, including full consolidation of departments.
Taconic Hills Central School District - $47,990
Multi-Municipal Park and Recreation Maintenance Collaboration
The Taconic Hills Central School District and the neighboring Towns of Ancram, Copake and Hillsdale will begin implementation of a joint school district and municipal grounds maintenance program
Ulster County - $481,012
Ulster County Automatic Vehicle Locator Program
In partnership with the Towns of Kingston, Esopus, Marbletown, New Paltz, Shandaken, and Shawangunk and the Village of Ellenville, the funds will be used to develop a more efficient process to for the deployment of their highway department apparatus. This project will reduce municipal costs by using Global Positioning Satellite systems (GPS) to determine vehicle location, speed and heading, allowing deployment of the closest vehicle for a situation.
Town of Wappinger - $22,500
Shared Highway Feasibility Study
The Town of Wappinger and the Village of Wappinger Falls will develop plans and a feasibility study for shared highway services. The project will improve productivity and safety and may result in a full functional consolidation.