Review and Analysis of Proposed 2020 Budget - Rockland County, New York
CGR conducted a comprehensive review of the County Executive’s 2020 Budget at the behest of the County Legislature. CGR identified several areas where assumptions could be adjusted to either reduce property taxes or to expand other programs. However, in whole we found that the county executive presented a balanced...
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The Difference a Diploma Makes - Impact Assessment for an Excel Center High School in Monroe County
CGR was engaged by Goodwill of the Finger Lakes to assess the potential benefits of a tuition-free high school and career acceleration center that would serve adults who dropped out and now wish to complete their education. Specifically, Goodwill is proposing a demonstration project for an Excel Center, a model...
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Review and Analysis of Proposed 2019 Budget
Starting in 2017, the Rockland County Legislature engaged CGR to review and analyze the proposed 2018, 2019 and 2020 Executive Budgets for Rockland County. Each year, the CGR's report was comprised of three components. First, CGR reviewed a series of contextual elements, including budget priorities, economic trends, alignment with community...
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Organizational Assessment of Cayuga County Government - Opportunities for Improvement
In 2017, the Cayuga County Legislature began a comprehensive organizational assessment to look for opportunities that would streamline, refocus and reorganize operations. Facing stagnant revenue growth from a limited number of sources and having completed several cost cutting efforts in recent years, the County sought to take a comprehensive look...
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Southeast Connecticut Council of Governments - Shared Services Opportunity Study
In 2014, the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SCCOG) was awarded a grant from the Regional Performance Incentive Program (RPIP) via the State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management to support a review of shared service opportunities among SCCOG’s member municipalities. CGR was engaged to identify potential shared services,...
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Review and Analysis of Proposed 2018 Budget - Rockland County, New York
Starting in 2017, the Rockland County Legislature engaged CGR to review and analyze the proposed 2018, 2019 and 2020 Executive Budgets for Rockland County. Each year, the CGR's report was comprised of three components. First, CGR reviewed a series of contextual elements, including budget priorities, economic trends, alignment with community...
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Consolidation Options & Impacts - Cities of Lewiston and Auburn, Maine
CGR was engaged by the Joint Charter Commission of the Cities of Lewiston and Auburn, Maine, to evaluate the potential impacts of a municipal consolidation. To inform the analysis, CGR completed a comprehensive review of services, governance structures and resource allocation in both cities, the State of Maine’s 2nd- and...
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Baseline Services and Financial Overview - Cities of Lewiston and Auburn, Maine
CGR was engaged by the Joint Charter Commission of the Cities of Lewiston and Auburn, Maine, to evaluate the potential impacts of a municipal consolidation. To inform the analysis, CGR completed a comprehensive review of services, governance structures and resource allocation in both cities, the State of Maine’s 2nd- and...
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Local Government in Onondaga County, NY - Preliminary Baseline Review: Section I (Who Does What & What It Costs)
Consensus – the Commission on Local Government Modernization – was launched in 2014 as a partnership of SYRACUSE 20/20, CenterState CEO, the County of Onondaga, the City of Syracuse, FOCUS Greater Syracuse, the League of Women Voters of the Syracuse Metropolitan Area, the Onondaga Citizens League and the Homebuilders &...
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Governance at the County Level - Assessing Shared Service and Consolidation Options in Schuyler and Yates Counties
In May 2014, the counties of Schuyler and Yates, NY began a study process to examine the potential benefits of increased collaboration and sharing of services. CGR was engaged to provide a baseline review, review options, and determine the impact of these options on residents, finances, and services. CGR's report...
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Future of Fire Service in Byron, NY - Baselines and Options Report
CGR completed an in-depth analysis of the provision of fire protection in Byron, NY in Genesee County. The report identified several options for the Town Of Byron, Byron Fire Department and the South Byron Fire District to consider related to potential changes in the fire service. The report highlighted...
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Options for Governmental Structural Changes: Dissolution & Alternatives Study for Village of Hoosick Falls, NY
In 2012, the officials in the eastern New York Village of Hoosick Falls contracted with CGR to conduct a study on the impacts of village dissolution. The study considered the impacts of dissolving the village government including the impacts on the police department, justice court, public works and administrative functions....
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Evaluation of Potential Governance Structures and Shared Services: Town and Village of Ossining, NY
CGR analyzed the potential fiscal impacts of a range of structural alternatives for the Westchester County, NY community of Ossining, which currently is serviced by town and village governments. CGR examined the implications of consolidating the 2 governments into a single city; dissolving the village and shifting service responsibility to...
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Potential Impact on Emergency Services in Alabama, NY: An Evaluation of the Proposed STAMP Project
At the request of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), CGR evaluated the potential impact to existing public safety services in the area of a proposed major advanced manufacturing plant in Alabama NY. The proposed STAMP (Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Plant) site is in a rural area of...
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Review and Analysis of Proposed 2012 Budget - Ulster County, New York
In 2011, Ulster County engaged CGR to provide comprehensive analytical support for its proposed 2012 fiscal year budget of $350 million. CGR’s role involved analyzing all line-items across the County budget’s seven fund accounts and reporting on the reasonableness of projected spending and revenue levels. The economic and...
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Review of Code Enforcement Operations in Broome, County, NY: Options for Regional Consolidation and Shared Services
In 2010, Broome County NY engaged CGR to assess the feasibility and potential efficiency of consolidating municipal code enforcement functions on a countywide basis. CGR found that local service providers stood to gain the most savings by shifting the responsibility entirely to the state, something permitted under current state...
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Consolidation Options and Impacts for Princeton, NJ: A Report to the Joint Consolidation/Shared Services Study Commission
In November 2011, voters in the Borough and Township of Princeton NJ overwhelmingly approved consolidating into a single government, effective in January 2013. CGR was engaged in 2010 to complete an in-depth analysis of the financial and operational implications of merger and assist the appointed Consolidation Commission with development of...
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Analysis of Shared Services in Lyons, NY
The Village and Town of Lyons, along with the Lyons Central School District have a long history of implementing shared services to better serve their Wayne County (NY) community. In 2010, they collectively engaged CGR to explore ways to further their collaboration. CGR studied code enforcement, municipal courts,...
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Municipal Services & Financial Overview - Borough and Township of Princeton
In November 2011, voters in the Borough and Township of Princeton NJ overwhelmingly approved consolidating into a single government, effective in January 2013. CGR was engaged in 2010 to complete an in-depth analysis of the financial and operational implications of merger and assist the appointed Consolidation Commission with development of...
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A Review of Shared Service Options in Addison, NY: Facilities, Maintenance and Fueling
The Addison NY Central School District, in partnership with the Town and Village of Addison, engaged CGR to study the feasibility of enhancing shared services in the areas of administrative office space, vehicle maintenance and fueling. CGR presented a baseline review of the partners’ municipal facilities and fleet operations,...
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A Review of Options for Ambulance Services in the Town of North Hempstead
CGR completed, in partnership with Hofstra University, a major research engagement that looked at current ambulance and emergency medical services for the Town of North Hempstead (population 220,000) in NY’s Nassau County, where fire departments represent the most numerous emergency medical providers in the community. CGR completed extensive data collection...
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Consolidation Options and Impacts for Chester, NJ: A Report to the Joint Consolidation Study Commission
Under authority provided by New Jersey law, the separate governing bodies of Chester township and Chester borough created a joint consolidation study commission to examine the feasibility and potential benefits of consolidating into a single municipality. CGR was engaged as study consultant to advise the commission.
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Municipal Services & Financial Overview - Township and Borough of Chester
Under authority provided by New Jersey law, the separate governing bodies of Chester township and Chester borough created a joint consolidation study commission to examine the feasibility and potential benefits of consolidating into a single municipality. CGR was engaged as study consultant to advise the commission.
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Baseline Review of Ambulance Services and EMS in the Town of North Hempstead, NY
CGR completed, in partnership with Hofstra University, a major research engagement that looked at current ambulance and emergency medical services for the Town of North Hempstead (population 220,000) in NY’s Nassau County, where fire departments represent the most numerous emergency medical providers in the community. CGR completed extensive data collection...
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A Plan for Consolidation of the City and Town of Batavia, NY
After receiving a NYS grant to study consolidation and engaging CGR as study consultant, a joint Batavia City/Town Committee spent nearly a year investigating and assessing options for the future. In 2009 the Committee delivered its final report – a plan for consolidation with a proposed timetable and recommended approach...
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Fiscal Impact of Land Uses: Town of Amherst, NY
CGR was engaged by the Buffalo Niagara Builders Association to explore the fiscal consequences of new construction in the Town of Amherst, NY. The project entailed constructing a spreadsheet model that measures the impact on tax levies and tax rates of commercial and new home construction on the Town of...
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Long Island Regional Innovation Grant Project: Implementation Plan Recommendations
As part of the Town of Hempstead’s (NY) federally-funded Regional Innovation Grant, CGR produced a comprehensive review of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in Long Island’s entrepreneurial development and support network. The analysis identified economic clusters with the greatest business startup potential; assessed the degree to which entrepreneurs are...
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Community Services Benchmarking Summary
As part of a strategic planning process, the Town of Victor NY engaged CGR to perform a community service benchmarking study, comparing the town against a group of peer communities on a variety of fiscal, governmental and service delivery measures. The study’s purpose was not just to target the...
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Public vs. Private Sector Employee Benefits: A Summary Analysis of School and Local Government Union Contracts in Monroe County
CGR provides an analysis of employee health costs, paid time off and other fringe benefits for local government and school employees in Monroe County NY. We find taxpayers are funding health and paid time off benefits that typically exceed national averages. In some cases, the disparities are significant....
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Long Island Regional Innovation Grant Project: Assessing Entrepreneurial Resources and Strategies
As part of the Town of Hempstead’s (NY) federally-funded Regional Innovation Grant, CGR produced a comprehensive review of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in Long Island’s entrepreneurial development and support network. The analysis identified economic clusters with the greatest business startup potential; assessed the degree to which entrepreneurs are...
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Collaborative Property Tax Administration in Albany County: A Review of Assessment and Tax Collection Options
In 2008, NYS provided grant funds to encourage counties to study how to streamline their local assessment and/or tax administration programs to promote efficiency, equity and transparency for taxpayers. Albany County was the only county in the state to analyze the assessment and tax administration program simultaneously. Recognizing the...
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A Review of Property Tax Assessment Options for Wayne County
In 2008, NYS provided grant funds to encourage counties to study how to streamline their local assessment programs to promote efficiency, equity and transparency for taxpayers. CGR helped Wayne County conduct an analysis of assessment operations to determine whether consolidation of local assessment offices would create efficiencies and/or equity....
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A Review of Property Tax Assessment Options for Chemung County
In 2008, NYS provided grant funds to encourage counties to study how to streamline their local assessment programs to promote efficiency, equity and transparency for taxpayers, and the county engaged CGR for the study. Chemung County, a leader in shared service and consolidation projects in NY, chose to analyze the...
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A Review of Property Tax Assessment Options for Orleans County
In 2008, NYS provided grant funds to encourage counties to study how to streamline their local assessment programs to promote efficiency, equity and transparency for taxpayers. Orleans County officials initiated a study as part of a continued effort to streamline assessment operations and create a more efficient system. ...
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A Review of Collaborative Options for Functions and Facilities: City of Tonawanda & Tonawanda City School District
For the City of Tonawanda NY and the Tonawanda City School District, CGR conducted a shared services study funded by a state grant. CGR made 10 recommendations in the functional areas of purchasing, maintenance and technology and also provided a cost/benefit analysis for a series of potential collaborative facility options.
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A Cost of Government Study for Northeast Ohio
CGR built a comprehensive cost and revenue database for local governments in the 16-county Northeast Ohio region and comparison regions in Columbus, Dayton, Indianapolis, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Raleigh-Durham. We put this “data dictionary” into an interactive, user-friendly web format to allow anyone to ask questions and develop answers from the...
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A Cost of Government Study for Northeast Ohio: Report Focus-Cuyahoga County
CGR built a comprehensive cost and revenue database for local governments in the 16-county Northeast Ohio region and comparison regions in Columbus, Dayton, Indianapolis, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Raleigh-Durham. We put this “data dictionary” into an interactive, user-friendly web format to allow anyone to ask questions and develop answers from the...
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A Cost of Government Study for Northeast Ohio: Report Focus-Mahoning and Trumbull Counties
CGR built a comprehensive cost and revenue database for local governments in the 16-county Northeast Ohio region and comparison regions in Columbus, Dayton, Indianapolis, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Raleigh-Durham. We put this “data dictionary” into an interactive, user-friendly web format to allow anyone to ask questions and develop answers from the...
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A Cost of Government Study for Northeast Ohio: Report Focus-Stark County
CGR built a comprehensive cost and revenue database for local governments in the 16-county Northeast Ohio region and comparison regions in Columbus, Dayton, Indianapolis, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Raleigh-Durham. We put this “data dictionary” into an interactive, user-friendly web format to allow anyone to ask questions and develop answers from the...
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Cooperate, Collaborate, Consolidate: Options for Local Government in Monroe County
In the spring of 2003, CGR assisted the Council of Local Governments and a group of local business leaders identify opportunities for reducing local government costs through increased inter-governmental cooperation. As part of this work, CGR developed an analytic framework for identifying areas of common revenues and expense and...
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Survey of Community Opinions - Town of Mendon Comprehensive Plan Update
CGR developed and administered the first Internet-based survey in Mendon's history, gauging residents' opinions on issues for the Town's comprehensive planning process. The survey revised one last completed by the Town in 1991, and supplements the ongoing review of Mendon's land use development plan. CGR facilitated meetings of...
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Assessing the Impact of Merging the Police Departments of the Village of Angola and Town of Evans: Service and Cost Implications
CGR conducted a study in 2003 to evaluate whether or not it would be beneficial to merge the village and town police departments. The study concluded that annual savings of $140,000 per year could be achieved, depending on the final service agreement reached between the village and the town. The...
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Survey of Employer's Skill and Occupational Needs, and Recommendations for Action for the Finger Lakes WIB - February 2003
CGR conducted a labor market information scan and an employer survey to identify information gaps the WIB could then begin to address in its strategic planning process.
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The Economic Impact of New York State's Preferred Source Legislation (New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc.) November 1999
CGR assessed the economic impact of Human Services state agencies to purchase products from NYSID agencies. When reduced social service expenditures was balanced against the cost of the NYSID program, NYS taxpayers benefited.
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