Avon Fire Department Plan for the Future - An Analysis of Existing Conditions and Setting a Course for the Future
The Avon Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) serves the Town of Avon, CT, and its 19,000 residents as a fully volunteer organization. In 2022, AVFD is facing a series of challenges related to its personnel, an increased demand for services, the need to replace several apparatus and aging stations. The project...
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Livingston County Weighted Voting - Apportionment Plan Based on 2020 Population
CGR was asked to determine the optimal number of weighted votes to apportion to Livingston County’s Supervisors based on the 2020 population numbers, using the Banzhaf Index as a test. This test was required to ensure that residents receive equal and appropriate representation for votes by the Livingston County Board...
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Village Operations Study - The Village of Lancaster
CGR completed an operations and staffing study with the Village of Lancaster in Erie County, NY, in late 2021. The Village Board of Trustees sought an independent assessment of the Village’s operations to help the Board set priorities during its annual budget process. CGR’s local government team analyzed budget and...
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Ontario County Weighted Voting - Apportionment Plan Based on 2020 Population
CGR was asked to determine the optimal number of weighted votes to apportion to Ontario County’s Supervisors based on the 2020 population numbers, using the Banzhaf Index as a test. This test was required to ensure that residents receive equal and appropriate representation for votes by the Ontario County Board...
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DMV Operations Study - A Report for Oneida County
The Oneida County Board of Legislators retained CGR to study and recommend improvements to operations in the County’s Motor Vehicles Bureau. Also known informally as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the Bureau is operated by the Oneida County Clerk’s Office. CGR gathered and analyzed data about DMV transactions and...
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Review and Analysis of the Proposed 2022 Budget - An Evaluation of the County Executive's Proposed Budget
Starting in 2017, the Rockland County Legislature engaged CGR to review and analyze the proposed 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Executive Budgets for Rockland County. Each year, our report had three components. First, CGR reviewed a series of contextual elements, including budget priorities, economic trends, alignment with community plans,...
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Marbletown Fire and EMS Operations - An Evaluation of Existing Conditions and Opportunities for the Future
The Town of Marbletown and its 5,500 residents are served by seven fire districts and an independent ambulance service. The Town Board, the ambulance service leadership and the leadership of six of the fire districts commissioned a study to evaluate the existing operations of the fire districts and EMS service...
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Analysis of Emergency Medical Services in Irondequoit - Overview of Existing Conditions and Options for the Future
The Town of Irondequoit engaged CGR to analyze its existing emergency medical services (EMS) system and consider options for the future. Traditionally, five fire districts, an independent non-profit ambulance service and a commercial ambulance service have worked to provide the service to the 50,000 residents of Irondequoit. Because of recent...
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Town of Irondequoit Fire Districts - An Analysis of Existing Conditions and Options for the Future
CGR was engaged by the five fire districts of the Town of Irondequoit (Laurelton, Point Pleasant, Ridge Culver, Sea Breeze and St. Paul Boulevard) to conduct a comprehensive study to evaluate their operations and identify options for improvement. CGR conducted interviews with an array of members of each department and...
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No Time for Excuses: It's Time for Action - Report of the Commission on Racial and Structural Equity (RASE)
CGR supported the work of the Racial and Structural Equity Commission of Rochester and Monroe County, a 24-member body appointed by Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren and County Executive Adam Bello to inventory and assess local laws and policies to recommend ways to eliminate institutional and structural biases, racism and inequities....
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The Future of EMS in Queensbury - An Evaluation of Existing Conditions and Recommendations for the Future
Our study found that Queensbury’s EMS system is in good shape in many respects: it has adequate funding, a strong cadre of volunteers, modern equipment and appropriate physical resources. We also found, however, that the EMS system in Queensbury could provide better service to residents and visitors for the same...
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Review and Analysis of the Proposed 2021 Budget-Rockland County, New York
Starting in 2017, the Rockland County Legislature engaged CGR to review and analyze the proposed 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Executive Budgets for Rockland County. Each year, our report had three components. First, CGR reviewed a series of contextual elements, including budget priorities, economic trends, alignment with community plans, which...
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Code Enforcement in Tioga County - A Report to the Tioga County Rural Economic Area Partnership
The Tioga County Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) engaged the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) to review and evaluate the provision of code enforcement services at the town and village level in Tioga County, and to identify opportunities to enforce codes more effectively and efficiently by sharing services. CGR conducted...
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Rental Vacancy Rate Study - A Survey for the City of Kingston, NY
In 2019, New York State expanded an option for municipalities to regulate apartment rents from the New York City metropolitan area to the entire state. The City of Kingston, the first upstate municipality to explore this option, retained CGR to conduct an apartment vacancy rate study to determine if the...
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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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Options for Schodack Fire Departments - Initial Concepts for the Future of the Fire Service
In 2018, the Town of Schodack and five of its fire departments engaged CGR to conduct a comprehensive study of the fire service in the town and develop a series of options for the future. The study looked at calls for service, equipment, staffing, facilities and financial operation for each...
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Future of Fire Service in Schodack, NY - Part 1: An Evaluation of Existing Conditions
In 2018, the Town of Schodack and five of its fire departments engaged CGR to conduct a comprehensive study of the fire service in the town and develop a series of options for the future. The study looked at calls for service, equipment, staffing, facilities and financial operation for each...
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Allegany County Shared Services Plan
In 2017, New York State introduced a new initiative designed to generate property tax savings by facilitating operational collaboration between local governments. Known as the Countywide Shard Services Initiative (CWSSI), it established a shared services panel in each county. Chaired by the chief executive officer of the county, the panel...
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Oswego County Public Safety and Criminal Justice System - Evaluation of Existing Conditions and Recommendations for Change
CGR (Center for Governmental Research) was hired to conduct an evaluation of the Oswego Public Safety and Criminal Justice system. The project included a review of the civilian and union public safety services of the Oswego County’s Sheriff’s Department, 911, District Attorney’s Office, Assigned Counsel, county, city, and town/village courts,...
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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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Reimagining Law Enforcement in Tompkins County - Concluding Activities and Next Steps
CGR conducted an evaluation of existing law enforcement in Tompkins County, the City of Ithaca and the villages of Cayuga Heights, Dryden and Groton. The project focused on determining what services exist and how they are currently performed, then identified a series of options for potential changes to law enforcement....
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Police Oversight in Rochester - An Examination of Outcomes and Other Models
CGR was engaged by the Rochester City Council to analyze data and research best practices for civilian oversight of police to inform the Council’s review of the Rochester Civilian Review Board in light of community demands for stronger oversight of police. The study found that the oversight model used in...
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Reimagining Law Enforcement in Tompkins County - Opportunities for the Future of Law Enforcement
CGR conducted an evaluation of existing law enforcement in Tompkins County, the City of Ithaca and the villages of Cayuga Heights, Dryden and Groton. The project focused on determining what services exist and how they are currently performed, then identified a series of options for potential changes to law enforcement....
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Reimagining Law Enforcement in Tompkins County - Baseline Examination of Law Enforcement Services
CGR conducted an evaluation of existing law enforcement in Tompkins County, the City of Ithaca and the villages of Cayuga Heights, Dryden and Groton. The project focused on determining what services exist and how they are currently performed, then identified a series of options for potential changes to law enforcement....
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Municipal Consolidation and Efficiency Plan - Chautauqua County
In 2017 the State of New York created a competition to encourage communities to improve local government efficiency. Initial applications were reviewed in Phase I and the winners—Chautauqua County, Madison County, Montgomery County, Otsego County, Ulster County and Town of Brookhaven—were granted funds to support a Phase II submission for...
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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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Evaluation of Public Safety in the Town and Village of Victor - Final Report with Baseline Review, Options and Possible Actions for EMS, Fire and Law Enforcement Services
In 2016, the town of Victor (NY) contracted with CGR to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and planning process for their growing suburban community. The analysis included reviewing the operations of two fire departments, an independent ambulance company, the sheriff’s office and state police and then identifying options for operation...
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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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Elm City Communities Strategic Plan 2016-2018 Plan
The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven, CT engaged CGR to facilitate a strategic planning process for the agency. The Housing Authority provides public housing and housing choice vouchers to thousands of low-income or disabled residents of the City of New Haven, and has strengthened its reputation in...
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North East Joint Fire District Evaluation of Operations: Review of Current Operations and Recommendations for Change
In 2015, officials for the Northeast Joint Fire District in Webster and Penfield, NY contracted with CGR to conduct an analysis of their district and two associated fire departments regarding the quality of operations, fiscal planning and opportunities for efficiency. As a result of the study, the board of fire...
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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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Dissolution of the Village of Macedon: Review of Potential Fiscal and Service Impacts
CGR was engaged by the Village of Macedon, NY, to provide a brief evaluation of the impact of dissolution on village services, finances, and residents. A citizen petition initiating a dissolution process prompted the evaluation, which found that there would be substantial tax savings and little to no disruption in...
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Analysis of Police Services in East Goshen, West Goshen, and Westtown Chester County, Pennsylvania - Options for Future Operations
In 2014, the southeastern Pennsylvania communities of East Goshen, Westtown and West Goshen hired CGR to conduct a review of their law enforcement operations for their two police departments Westtown-East Goshen (WEGO) and West Goshen. The purpose was to evaluate the potential benefits of consolidating the two departments into one....
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Emergency Medical Services System in Greene County - Assessment of EMS Operations and Options for Improving Service
In 2014, CGR completed a project for the Greene County (NY) EMS Task Force the focused on enabling the county EMS providers to plan to modify their system based on the demands for service, existing resource availability and geographic constraints. The study created three different options for resource...
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Village of Medina Dissolution Study - Baseline Description of Services, Options for Dissolution, Fiscal Impact and Dissolution Plan
In 2013, officials in the western New York Village of Medina launched an effort to analyze the potential efficiency of dissolving the Village of Medina. The study considered the impacts of dissolving the village government while maintaining appropriate levels of service for municipal services including the Police Department. Cost savings...
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Village of Dryden Police Services Restructuring Study
In 2013, the central New York Village of Dryden requested a review of their police department operations including identifying options for the future of the local law enforcement service. The study evaluated processes for police patrol, volume of criminal activity and financial operations of the police department. A variety of...
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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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Effective Local Government Through Collaboration: Service Delivery in Moreland Hills, Orange, Pepper Pike and Woodmere
Four Eastern Cleveland suburbs, originally one municipality, sought CGR’s assistance to explore the advantages and disadvantages of re-assembling under a single unit of government. CGR reviewed all aspects of municipal services for the 3 villages and 1 city, identifying likely synergies and service sharing opportunities. Cost savings associated with...
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The Future of Law Enforcement in Watkins Glen
In 2012, CGR was engaged by the Village of Watkins Glen to evaluate their police department and provide options to reduce costs including sharing services with the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office. CGR conducted on site interviews with staff of both departments, participated in department observation, and regularly met with...
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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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OCM BOCES and Oswego County School Library Systems Merger Study: Merger Task Force Report
For two school library systems in NYS – Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES and Oswego BOCES – CGR helped explore the viability of pursuing a merged system. CGR studied the operations of the systems and facilitated meetings of a regional task force of library professionals, which recommended the boards pursue consolidation in order...
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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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