Governor Hochul Announces Eight Counties Received More than $2.7 Million in State Matching Funds Through the County-Wide Shared Services Initiative

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced Cayuga, Chemung, Clinton, Columbia, Dutchess, Erie, Madison and Niagara Counties together received a total of more than $2.7 million in state matching funds via the County-Wide Shared Services Initiative (CWSSI). During this fiscal year, the CWSSI provides a 95 percent state match of taxpayer savings achieved through the implementation of new shared services identified in county-wide plans produced as a result of the Initiative. The counties' plans identified ways to consolidate services and save taxpayer money through government efficiencies in services and community programs.

“As government officials, it’s not only our responsibility to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently, but it’s also critical that we work consistently to identify savings for hard working New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “I applaud the leadership and creativity of these eight counties and thank all of those who worked on these plans for finding innovative ways to cut costs and put money back into the pockets of New York taxpayers.”

The breakdown of the counties that received matching funds by region is as follows:

Western New York

• Erie County – Received $148,957 in State Matching Funds: Erie County expanded its Utilities Aggregation program to the Town of Cheektowaga and the Towns of Collins and North Collins shared an assessor to achieve taxpayer savings.
• Niagara County – Received $392,027 in State Matching Funds: Niagara County implemented a countywide digital pictometry project that allows local governments to view aerial photographs to help with code enforcement and assessment of tax parcels. Niagara County also engaged in solid waste management consulting with the Cities of Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda to review and implement changes related to their sanitation and recycling collection programs. Finally, Niagara County shared IT services with the Town of Pendleton and shared a road milling machine with the Town of Newfane.

Southern Tier

• Chemung County – Received $110,755 in State Matching Funds: Chemung County engaged with eight towns and villages in public works partnerships and IT support to achieve savings. One key project the County implemented was to use its Laserfiche technology to digitize records and modernize recordkeeping for the City of Elmira, the Village of Horseheads, and the Towns of Ashland, Millport and Horseheads.

Central New York

• Cayuga County – Received $406,601 in State Matching Funds: Cayuga County implemented two cost savings projects. In 2018, Cayuga County joined with the City of Auburn to renovate the City-owned minor league baseball stadium Falcon Park, to be used as a joint athletic facility by the City of Auburn and Cayuga Community College for three collegiate athletic teams. In its second project, the Cayuga County Office of Real Property Tax Services provided assessing services for the town of Springport.
• Madison County – Received $161,804 in State Matching Funds: To achieve savings, Madison County shared IT services with the Town of Sullivan. The County also provided highway services to City of Oneida and the Towns of Stockbridge, Smithfield, Cazenovia, Madison, Nelson, Hamilton, Sullivan, Georgetown, Brookfield, De Ruyter, Lebanon, Lenox, Eaton and Fenner. In addition, Madison County shared snow removal and mowing services with the Towns of Cazenovia, Madison, Stockbridge and Sullivan.

North Country

• Clinton County – Received $116,168 in State Matching Funds: Clinton County realized savings through projects to consolidate services in several towns for wastewater operators, paving roads and website services. The County also facilitated the joint purchase of an asphalt hot box for the towns of Ausable and Peru.

Capital Region

• Columbia County – Received $247,750 in State Matching Funds: Columbia County collaborated with several towns on five projects including management information services, human resources training, joint purchasing of office supplies and Real Property data and revaluation services.

Mid-Hudson

• Dutchess County – Received $1,199,480 in State Matching Funds: Dutchess County implemented several measures to achieve taxpayer savings including a salt purchasing cooperative, shared purchase of public safety software, joint purchase of municipal sewer equipment and shared vehicle safety equipment.

Acting Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, "Cayuga, Chemung, Clinton, Columbia, Dutchess, Erie, Madison and Niagara Counties all understand the critical importance of working together to offer tax savings to the residents of their communities. The County-Wide Shared Services Initiative inspired them to work with municipalities to find creative ways to deliver taxpayer savings and government efficiency through shared services that will bring positive results and recurring savings for years to come."

Clinton County Executive Mark Henry said, “I am very pleased that our municipalities were able to collaborate and develop initiatives in an effort to save our taxpayers money while creating efficiencies in our services throughout the county. We are grateful for the Governor’s commitment to the north county in continuing the match for savings. Clinton County will continue brainstorming ideas with local leaders for future savings.”

Columbia County Chairman Matt Murell said, “Columbia County and it's municipalities have enthusiastically participated in the shared services program. Shared Services has saved both the county and municipalities money, which saves the taxpayers money.”

Niagara County Chairwoman Rebecca Wydysh said, "Niagara County put a tremendous amount of effort into our shared services plan and I thank our county manager and local government partners for their good work. We must continue to look for ways to collaborate and cooperate in ways that produce results for taxpayers at lower costs."

Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss said, “We thank New York State and Governor Hochul for the continuation of the CWSSI program which allows local municipalities to establish unique shared services partnerships which eventually lead to saving tax payer dollars. Chemung County has a long history of exploring and implementing shared services and this program is very beneficial to those efforts.”

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “Dutchess County has been a statewide leader in shared services for years, and our continued efforts have saved local taxpayers millions of dollars over the past decade. I’m proud that New York State has recognized Dutchess County’s ongoing desire to collaborate with our municipal partners, all to the benefit of our local residents, and we’ll continue to find partnerships that save residents’ hard-earned money.”

Madison County Administrator Mark Scimone said, “As the Chair of the Madison County Shared Services Panel and former recipient of the shared services initiative, I continue to look for additional ways that our local governments can work together to provide a high level of services for our residents. The Shared Services Panel and the Board of Supervisors approved a plan for 2022 that identified total estimated annual savings of $440,000 with shared agreements between the Canastota Central School District and the Capital Region BOCES Pharmacy Purchasing Coalition, Village of Chittenango and Town of Sullivan.”

Cayuga County Executive David Gould said, “Cayuga County is appreciative of New York State and Governor Hochul's office for the funds from the County Wide Shared Services Initiative. We look forward to identifying additional opportunities for us to work collaboratively on initiatives that benefit our community and save tax payers money.

The CWSSI generates property tax savings by facilitating collaboration between local governments across the state. Guidance documents regarding the CWSSI and state match application process, as well as past CWSSI plans, are available here.

The County-Wide Services Initiative is administered by the Division of Local Government Services at the Department of State. The Division provides technical assistance and competitive grants to local governments. For more information on CWSSI or any programs administered by the Division, please contact [email protected] or call 518 473-3355.