Press Release

County Local Government Efficiency Plan

Local Plan Meets New York State's Guidelines, Ensures Tax Rebate For Eligible County Residents

FONDA - County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort announced Monday that the Government Efficiency Plan that Montgomery County submitted to New York State at the start of the month indentifies nearly two dozen projects aimed at increasing efficiency and sharing services. In partnership with eighteen of the county's constituent municipalities, the Plan is anticipated to save property taxpayers in the county a total of $3.5 million for the years 2017-19. Submission of the countywide plan and demonstration of the collective ability to meet savings targets ensures that residents will receive property tax rebates, in 2016, as part of the New York State Property Tax Freeze Credit program.

"Far more important than the process of establishing savings targets within the Plan is the means by which Montgomery County, in partnership with the towns, villages and the city of Amsterdam will move forward to realize those savings and then some," Ossenfort said. "I am proud to have the support from our local Mayors, Town Supervisors and members of the County Legislature to work together and provide government services more efficiently. Not only has the spirit of collaboration been evident during the preparation of the Plan, but we have also become well aware of the sheer capacity for innovation within our municipalities."

Staff from the Montgomery County Business Development Center (MCBDC) undertook the development of the Plan meeting with elected officials, department heads and the general public across the villages, towns and city in Montgomery County. In order for eligible homeowners to receive a property tax rebate check in 2016, municipalities must stay within the NYS property tax cap and implement an approved Government Efficiency Plan that projects one percent levy savings for 2017, 2018 and 2019. The projects identified in this plan exceed savings targets four-fold.

"The Town of Charleston will benefit from the collaboration that was exhibited throughout the county, as everyone really pitched in during the development of this plan," said Charleston Town Supervisor Robert Sullivan. "I want to thank County Executive Ossenfort and those at the county level for spearheading this shared services initiative and the dedication to go above and beyond the cap set by the state to better serve the taxpayers of Montgomery County."

Last October, Montgomery County hosted a Government Efficiency Forum, which was designed as a starting point for the creation of this efficiency plan, which was due to the state on June 1. Nearly 100 people attended the event, held at Fulton-Montgomery Community College, including many elected officials from across the county and representatives from New York State Department of State.

"This plan is a framework for the future," Amsterdam Mayor Ann Thane said. "Committing to increased efficiency and more shared services is the best way that local governments can serve the people. I appreciate county leaders, especially County Executive Ossenfort, taking the lead on creating this comprehensive plan and look forward to its implementation and the benefit it provides city residents and those throughout the entire county."

Recurrent savings, associated with sharing of services and implementation of efficiencies from 2012 forward are includable towards the savings targets. The Plan includes examples that yield very modest to very significant savings; yet, each initiative reflects an intense determination of localities and Montgomery County to do business better.

For instance, the plan calls for the implementation of a countywide records management program. This will involve the purchase and utilization of content management software that will enable records to be managed electronically. Additionally, existing physical records can be scanned into electronic format and then managed electronically. The savings from this project are twofold: first, there is an operational/staff efficiency associated with faster retrieval and management of electronic records; second, there is a financial savings associated with a reduction in floor space occupied by filing cabinets. Montgomery County together with the city of Amsterdam and the town of Florida have already applied for funding under the New York State Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund (LGRMIF) to underwrite much of the costs associated with software purchases and licensing. All other communities in the county will be able to join the system by 2017. Other efficiencies will include more extensive sharing of highway/DPW equipment, skilled personnel services and repair facilities. Certain legal services will be bid in bulk, lowering hourly rates. Both the county and the city of Amsterdam will be aggressively reducing energy costs through initiatives as sophisticated as the construction of photovoltaic arrays and as simple as changing out inefficient light bulbs.

The process of identifying government efficiencies and opportunities for the sharing of services does not end with the submission of the Government Efficiency Plan. Instead, completion of the Plan is merely a point of departure. Ossenfort will be convening a regular schedule of working meetings to draw out more efficiency/shared services ideas, to critically assess those ideas and, for those ideas that pass muster, to ensure that the resources are in place for successful implementation. The MCBDC has been assigned to provide all necessary staff support.

"It is our intention to set the standard for small counties in New York State, in terms of expanding shared services and creating the operational efficiencies that are necessary to stabilize and, indeed, reduce property tax rates," said Ossenfort.

Local Government Efficiency Plan (PDF)