ONEONTA – More than 100 local public service administrators from around the region attended a conference in Oneonta last week to discuss the possibility for shared services and opportunities that consolidation may bring to the table.
The Greater Oneonta Economic Development Council, in conjunction with Citizens’ Voices, hosted the event at the Foothill’s Performing Arts and Civic Center. The program, sponsored by the Bank of Cooperstown, featured agents of the New York State Department of State, including Deputy Secretary of State for Local Government Dede Scozzafava and Land Use Specialist Robert Roeckle.
With increasing incentives offered by the state for local municipalities to explore consolidation, presenters said there’s a growing interest to combine services across the state and that help is available for local officials who hope to pursue consolidation. The Department of State’s Division of Local Government Services discussed ways in which local governments and schools could potentially strengthen regional assets, improve services and save taxpayer money.
Earlier this year, the state introduced yet another incentive for local municipalities to consolidate via a property tax freeze for businesses and homeowners. The tax freeze is subject to two conditions, the first being that the taxing entity adhere to the 2 percent tax cap; and second, that the taxing entity implement a plan for shared services or consolidation with another taxing jurisdiction.
“These (consolidation) efforts are the kinds of things the Governor is hoping will happen with the tax freeze,” said Mark Pattison, former deputy New York State Comptroller and former Troy City Mayor. “Local governments weren’t built for the modern world.”
The DOS presentation included an overview of tools and resources that may be helpful to local officials, including state funded Local Government Efficiency (LGE) grants, the Local Government Citizens Reorganization Empowerment grant, and the Citizen Empowerment tax credit. In addition, there is support offered by the state DOS to help local officials develop ways in which they can provide equal or better services to their constituency.
A number of municipalities statewide which have undergone shared services and consolidation were highlighted during the presentation. Entities including the Herkimer County Highway Department, Jefferson County EMS, Town of Saugerties police services, and City of Lockport water treatment touted success stories of combining services with outside jurisdictions.
Although some services, including fire services, are shared between the City of Norwich and surrounding municipalities, City Mayor Joseph Maiurano said he hopes to see more efforts of consolidation in the not so distant future.
“We’re always looking for better ways to do things,” Maiurano said. “We want to know if there are programs out there that can help us provide services more efficiently and figure out if we’re willing to participate in that.”
Maiurano also noted increased interest from municipalities across the state for consolidation due to new incentives in the recently passed New York State budget. In addition, he cited a previously conducted consolidation study for the city and Town of Norwich.
“That study still carries a lot of clout,” he added. “We can take that study and move it to the next step that would bring in funding to implement it, which would be very appealing. I would love to see that.”
For Edmeston School Superintendent Brian Hunt, the presentation provided ways in which new programs might be shared among other local school districts further down the road.
“I’m particularly interested in the consolidated funding application,” Hunt said, explaining his vision for an internet-based course offering that focuses on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for students at Edmeston and other schools throughout the area.
“We are going to put in for a grant for a STEM program that will be housed within our own district but will also be shared with other neighboring school districts in Otsego County to develop specialized STEM program so our students have more opportunities and can get the high tech jobs that are coming to this region.”