Press Release
Publish Date: 12/3/2018County Receives Secretary's Choice Award from Secretary of State Rossana Rosado
Recognized as a Leader and Model for Municipal Innovation
FONDA - Montgomery County and its local government partners received the Secretary of State's Choice Award during the reception Nov. 15 for the 4th Annual Local Government Innovation Conference put on by the New York Department of State's Division of Local Government Services.
Montgomery County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort, County Legislative Chairman Robert Headwell Jr. and several others from the county team accepted the award and proclamation from Secretary of State Rossana Rosado.
"This is an amazing honor," Ossenfort said. "Our team has worked cooperatively and diligently on our shared services initiatives and we are so proud to be considered a leader and model for others working towards municipal innovation," he said.
From left, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, Minchin Lewis, Deputy Secretary for Local Government, New York State Department of State Mark Pattison, Montgomery County Director of Program Development William Roehr, Montgomery County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort, Montgomery County Legislative Chairman Robert Headwell Jr., Montgomery County Special Programs Manager Karl Gustafson, Research Assistant at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, Jared Shepard and Director of Local Government Services, New York State Department of State, Ann Thane.
Montgomery County was a finalist in the Municipal Consolidation and Efficiency Competition and has moved forward using the Municipal Restructuring Fund to advance the goals of their original plan. In November, the County Legislature passed a resolution accepting $149,047 in grant funds through the Municipal Restructuring Fund which is administered by the New York State Department of State. Montgomery County and its partners will be eligible to receive up to $4,396,814 in total funding if each project is fully implemented. It's estimated that these reorganizations will annually generate at least $3.5 million dollars in recurring savings.
Projects funded through the grant and associated award amounts are as follows: A study of the creation of a Consolidated Court Facility in Western Montgomery County that will serve multiple towns and villages, reducing both operational costs and future capital expenditures $50,000.
A plan for comprehensive enhancement of the county's IT capabilities, including the implementation of an electronic Content Management System and comprehensive upgrades to its phone system $49,528.
A study of the consolidation of local police agencies in the villages of Canajoharie and Fort Plain into the County Sheriff's Office $27,847
A study of the Village of Fort Plain dissolution and consolidation with the Town of Minden $21, 672.