The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
WORKING TOGETHER
Madison County, other counties receive County-wide Shared Services Initiative funding
“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.” — A Gov. Kathy Hochul
WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. » Madison County and other counties across the state have implemented a series of shared services projects to help save taxpayers money.
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 Countywide Shared Services Initiative (CWSSI), according to the state.
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, according to the state. 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,” Gov. Kathy 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.”
Madison County received
$161,804 in state matching funds. To achieve savings, Madison County shared IT services with the Town of Sullivan and also provided highway services to the City of Oneida and the Towns of Stockbridge, Smithfield, Cazenovia, Madison, Nelson, Hamilton, Sullivan, Georgetown, Brookfield, Deruyter, Lebanon, Lenox, Eaton, and Fenner. In addition, Madison County shared snow removal and mowing services with the Towns of Cazenovia, Madison, Stockbridge, and Sullivan.
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.”
The information in this article was provided by the governor’s press office.