Potential Impacts of Village Incorporation - Assessing Fiscal and Operational Impacts in Edgemont, NY
CGR was engaged by New York State to examine the potential fiscal and operational impacts of a new village incorporation in the hamlet of Edgemont, a community of almost 8,000 people in Greenburgh, a town of 95,000 that contains six villages and an unincorporated area. We modeled three scenarios for...
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Allegany County Emergency Medical Services - Current Conditions and Paths Forward
Allegany County engaged CGR to conduct a comprehensive analysis of its emergency medical services system and develop a series of actionable recommendations for the County and the EMS agencies to consider. The County has had a growing number of EMS incidents and a declining number of EMS providers. Additionally, several...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Prevailing Waste - New York's Costly Public Works Pay Mandate
The cost of publicly funded construction projects in New York is inflated up to 25 percent by the state's outdated "prevailing wage" mandate, which requires contractors to pay workers the amounts required by union collective bargaining agreements. The Empire Center for State Policy Report was coauthored by E.J. McMahon, research...
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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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Westwood Country Club Redevelopment - Economic and Fiscal Impact
CGR was engaged by Mensch Capital Partners to estimate the economic and fiscal impact of the proposed Westwood Country Club redevelopment in the Town of Amherst, NY. The developer proposes investing over $238 million to redevelop the site that currently houses the Westwood Country Club. This report details CGR's...
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Who Provides Services on Long Island? An Introduction to the Long Island Index's New Interactive Map
Dozens of special districts on Long Island add to the patchwork quilt of governments providing services to residents. A new interactive map developed by the Long Island Index allows users for the first time to see the boundaries of all local service providers, along with information about how to...
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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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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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Local Development Corporations (LDC): Risks and Benefits - Case Studies in the Rochester Area
CGR, with funding from the Beatrice Bibby Fund at CGR in cooperation with the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Rochester (NY), set out to identify the number, type and characteristics of local development corporations in the Rochester area. These quasi-government entities are not subject to the same public oversight...
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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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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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The Economic Impact of the New York State Mining and Construction Industry
The mining industry in New York is large and diverse, encompassing a range of commodities that support highway construction and repair, new housing, ice control, landscaping and other commercial activities. The NYS mining and construction materials industry was responsible for generating $1.2 to $1.3 billion in wages and 28,000 to...
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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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Fiscal Impact Analysis & Economic Development Plan for the City of Gahanna, Ohio
For the Columbus, Ohio suburb of Gahanna, CGR developed an interactive model that forecasts the net property and income tax revenue for alternative development scenarios. The model also estimates the impact of tax abatements of variable length and magnitude, adjusting for offsetting payments to school districts. With this tool, the City can “test” the...
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Job Creation and New York State IDAs: A Response to the Jobs with Justice Report
Industrial development agencies (IDAs), the primary economic development entities in most NY communities, turned to CGR for independent analysis related to two key issues. First, proposals before the NY Legislature would require projects funded by IDAs to pay construction workers prevailing, instead of market, wage. Second, a 2007 report by...
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Prevailing Wage in New York State: The Impact on Project Cost and Competitiveness
Industrial development agencies (IDAs), the primary economic development entities in most NY communities, turned to CGR for independent analysis related to two key issues. First, proposals before the NY Legislature would require projects funded by IDAs to pay construction workers prevailing, instead of market, wage. Second, a 2007 report by...
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Proposed Natural Gas Expansion Into Franklin County, NY: Economic and Fiscal Impacts
In 2007, CGR completed an analysis of the economic and fiscal impacts of the proposed gas line extension by St. Lawrence Gas Company Inc. into Franklin County NY.
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Costs and Benefits of Noble Chateaugay and Bellmont Windparks: Issues for County of Franklin IDA's Consideration
New York’s Franklin County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) asked CGR to conduct an economic impact study of an 86-tower wind farm project proposed for two towns. CGR assessed the number of jobs the construction phase will generate (332 jobs, direct and spillover), construction-related job earnings ($16 million) and the number...
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Fiscal Impact of Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Safe Housing Act - Impact on NYS and Local Governments
As a coalition of groups worked to pass lead abatement legislation in the NYS Legislature, CGR was asked to draft the "fiscal note" that accompanies legislation slated for a vote. The "fiscal note" assesses the net impact of the proposed legislation on all levels of government.
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The Geneseo Town Centre An Economic and Fiscal Impact Assessment of the Proposed Lowe's
The exurban community of Geneseo, NY, is caught in a debate between residents who want to maintain neighborhood-scale, locally-owned retail concentrated in a village setting and residents who see benefit in becoming a market center for the surrounding area and welcome larger-scale retail development. CGR was engaged by the town...
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Long Island Index 2006 Special Analysis Report Analysis of Governmental Expenditures and Revenues on Long Island 1998-2003
CGR examined expenditure and revenue information for 359 units of local government on Long Island. This data was incorporated into a report published in 2006 entitled the Long Island Index, a status report on the Long Island region which engages the community to think about the future. The...
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Seneca Niagara Casino: Fiscal & Economic Impact on Niagara Falls, NY
Engaged by Empire State Development Corporation (through its USA Niagara Development subsidiary), CGR assessed the net economic and fiscal impact of the Seneca Niagara Casino on the City of Niagara Falls. CGR identified significant positive economic impact for the Niagara Falls region, although observed that the benefit was limited...
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Rochester Downtown Casino: An Economic & Social Impact Assessment
A casino in downtown Rochester was proposed as partial settlement of a land claim from an Oklahoma-based Indian nation, the Seneca-Cayuga of Oklahoma. CGR was engaged by the nation’s representative, the Wilmorite development corporation, to assess the fiscal, economic and social impacts of the casino on the Rochester...
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Balance of Revenue & Expenditure Among NYS Regions: Fiscal Years 4/1/97-3/31/98 Thru 4/1/00-3/31/01
CGR analyzed information from various sources, including four years of the General Ledger of the State of New York , to trace the revenue and expenditures of New York’s budget by region. Contrary to the beliefs of many upstate residents, CGR’s study confirmed the conclusion of an earlier CGR analysis,...
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Thinking Beyond Municipal Boundaries - Cost Reduction Opportunities
CGR provided an array of examples of how to use economies of scale to reduce costs in the Buffalo region. Using information from the New York State's Comptroller's office, CGR found that the greater community could reduce annual costs by $8.2 million to $9.9 million by acting as...
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Transforming Medicaid: Options for New York, Making Medicaid more Effective and Efficient
In the mid-1990’s, New York State faced a Medicaid crisis and the new governor at the time, George Pataki, created the Comprehensive Medicaid Task Force, to study Medicaid and make cost-containment recommendations. At the same time, CGR and the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) studied the underlying...
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Changes in Total Spending and Spending on Children - 2001-2003 Monroe County Budgets - November 2002
The Children’s Agenda, a nonpartisan, independent research and education group, asked CGR to provide an analysis of the 2003 Monroe County proposed budget, and the 2002 and 2001 amended budgets in terms of components that directly or indirectly (but significantly) affect children. The Children’s Agenda was interested in a detailed...
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Blue Ribbon Commission on Monroe County Finances - Report to the Monroe County Legislature - November 2002
CGR provided staff support to the Monroe County Blue Ribbon Commission on county finances.
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Self-Reported Anticipated Impacts of Proposed 2002 and 2003 Monroe County Budget Cuts - Rochester Human Service Organizations - August 2002
The United Way funds programs across nearly 80 human services agencies in Monroe County, and is concerned about the impact of proposed Monroe County budget cuts on these agencies and their clients. CGR was asked to conduct a survey of the agencies in conjunction with the United Way, in order...
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What Westchester's New York Address Does to Local Taxes - The Westchester Public Issues Institute - October 2001
CGR staffed the Westchester Public Issues Institute, aimed at studying public issues affecting the lower Hudson Valley. In 2001 CGR studied the NYS mandates on Westchester County, local e-commerce impacts and Human Services affordability. CGR estimates that Westchester County will lose from $4 million to $52 million in...
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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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Analyzing Service Delivery Options: Town of Portland and Village of Brocton, NY February 1999
In 1992, the former Rural Services Institute at the State University of New York College at Fredonia began an analysis of municipal services in the Town of Portland and Village of Brocton, New York. Building on this initial project, CGR conducted a study to identify opportunities for delivering services in...
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The Fiscal Balance Among NYS Regions: NYS Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 1992-March 31, 1997 (GAIN of Metropolitan Rochester and NYC Office of Management and Budget) January 1999
CGR traced the revenue and expenditures of New York's $60 billion budget by region. Jointly funded by New York City and a Rochester group, the report summarizes trends in the geographic dispersion of revenue and expenditure for SFY 1992-1997.
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Athens Generating Project: An Assessment of the Project's Value to the Community and the Owner (Central Hudson Gas and Electric)
CGR assessed the fiscal & economic impacts of a planned gas-fired, 1,080 megawatt merchant power plant near the Hudson River in Greene County. The report provides local officials with guidance for PILOT negotiations with the developer.
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Economic Assessment of Combined Lake Ontario Water Supply & Industrial Cooling
CGR was engaged to evaluate the impact of an environmentally-friendly system for cooling office and manufacturing buildings on new industrial development, local tax revenue and economic vitality in suburban Webster.
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No Handout, No Bailout - A Plan to Re-Engineer Service Delivery to Buffalo Residents (Buffalo Renaissance Foundation)
Engaged by the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation through the initiative of then City Comptroller Joel Giambra, CGR assessed prospects for Buffalo/Erie County consolidation and developed an innovative municipal service delivery strategy for the City of Buffalo. Involving a radically-different relationship between the city, county and private sectors, CGR demonstrated that...
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Specialized Transit Coordination Study - Nassau County
In 1995, Nassau County spent an estimated $30 million providing specialized transportation services. CGR recommended a radical re-structuring of the county's approach to contracting and supervising most specialized transportation services.
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Non-Homestead Tax Rates and City Competitiveness (Rochester City Council)
The City Council of Rochester engaged CGR to assess the impact of the business/residential tax differential permitted by the Homestead Tax Law on the competitiveness of the city economy.
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City of Troy Strategic Action Plan (Troy Strategy Group)
Part of an effort to avoid bankruptcy for Troy, CGR summarized the highest priority action steps for fiscal stabilization & business climate improvement, including how the city might capitalize on its EDZ and Enterprise Community status.
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Medicaid Cost Containment Options for New York (New York State Association of Counties)
NYS pays more per capita or per recipient for Medicaid than any other state. CGR identified the most costly program elements and what factors contributed to the differential between costs in New York and the rest of the nation.
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