Code Enforcement in Chautauqua County - Implementation Roadmap
CGR undertook a comprehensive review of local code enforcement systems in Chautauqua County to determine what role the County might play in enhancing local code enforcement. The project was based on CGR’s earlier study for Tioga County, with more focus on potential options and their implementation. The project was divided...
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Code Enforcement in Chautauqua County - Options for Improvements
CGR undertook a comprehensive review of local code enforcement systems in Chautauqua County to determine what role the County might play in enhancing local code enforcement. The project was based on CGR’s earlier study for Tioga County, with more focus on potential options and their implementation. The project was divided...
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Code Enforcement in Chautauqua County - Baseline of Current Conditions
CGR undertook a comprehensive review of local code enforcement systems in Chautauqua County to determine what role the County might play in enhancing local code enforcement. The project was based on CGR’s earlier study for Tioga County, with more focus on potential options and their implementation. The project was divided...
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Ontario County EMS and Fire - Existing Conditions and Opportunities for Action
CGR developed a comprehensive report on the existing conditions of the EMS, fire, communications and hospital emergency departments in Ontario County. The project involved reviewing the operations of 28 fire agencies and ten EMS transport organizations that served the county. The number and types of fire protection and EMS agencies...
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Looking Toward the Future - Fire and EMS Services in the Wildwoods - Existing Conditions and Options for Change
In 2021, CGR was engaged by the City of North Wildwood to conduct a study on the fire and EMS services in North Wildwood and the City of Wildwood as well as the EMS service Wildwood Crest. The study found that the community has an average of 17 calls for...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Feasibility Analysis for the Merger for the Department of Health and the Department of Mental Hygiene in Dutchess County, NY
CGR conducted a feasibility study of merging the Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene within Dutchess County. Our review included a detailed examination of the baseline of current services (operated by both government and non-profit agencies), and an overview of the changing landscape of the healthcare delivery systems. We evaluated...
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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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Rochester's Department of Recreation and Youth Services - Maximizing the City's Supports for Children and Youth
CGR was engaged by the City of Rochester to provide an inventory and resource analysis of its Department of Recreation and Youth Service (DRYS), compile information on similar programs and services offered by local nonprofits and governments, and benchmark the department’s operations to other cities. CGR found that, compared to...
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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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Strategic Options to Realign Resources for the Southeastern NY Library Resources Council
The strategic plan of the Southeastern New York Library Resource Council, one of 9 Reference and Research Library Resource Councils (3Rs) in the state, calls for streamlining services and leveraging limited resources for more effective support of member libraries. CGR examined the feasibility of formalizing shared services and/or consolidating with...
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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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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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Village of Norwood Dissolution Study, Plan and Alternatives
The Village of Norwood, located in NY’s St. Lawrence County, is partially in the Town of Norfolk and partially in the Town of Potsdam. The Town of Potsdam also includes the Village of Potsdam. Driven by a desire for greater autonomy and concerns about the impact on Norwood...
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Village of Mannsville Dissolution Study, Plan and Alternatives
Mannsville is a small village (population 354) in the Town of Ellisburg, located in northern NY. In late 2012, a study committee explored the impact of dissolving the village and developed a report and dissolution plan. The committee estimates Mannsville taxpayers will experience a 40% decrease in their...
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The Village of East Syracuse and Town of DeWitt Shared Services Study
The Village of East Syracuse received a NYS Local Government Efficiency grant to assess, in cooperation with the Town of DeWitt, service sharing and cost saving opportunities in 6 service areas: assessment; code enforcement; planning and zoning; snow removal; parks and recreation; and code enforcement. CGR completed the assessment...
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Village of Chaumont Dissolution Study and Dissolution Plan
Chaumont is a small NY village (population 625) known for having one of the largest freshwater bays in the world. For some time, the village and surrounding Town of Lyme have actively pursued working closely together. At village request, a study committee examined dissolving the village and merging operations with...
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Governance and Service Options - Village and Town of Malone
Nearly 60% of the 10,000 residents in NY’s Town of Malone reside in the Village of Malone, located in Franklin County near the Canadian border. At village request, a study committee examined dissolving the village and outlined alternatives to dissolution. If the impact of an estimated $750,000 state incentive for...
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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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Ontario County Regional High Schools Feasibility Study: Options for Addressing Rising Costs and Shrinking Enrollment
Eight of the nine districts in Ontario County have decreasing enrollment, a trend that is projected to continue through the next decade. The districts agreed to explore how regional high schools and/or regional collaborations could save taxpayer dollars and expand educational opportunities. CGR presents several models and finds that...
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Schoharie County Highways Shared Services/Consolidation Study - An Overview of Current Operations and Analysis of Options
Schoharie County engaged CGR to study options for improving efficiency in the highway services provided by the 22 municipalities in the county. CGR catalogued the highway inventory and operations of each local government and analyzed 2 sub-regional models for improving efficiency. The first explored merging 2 town highway operations, and...
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Hamlin, Morton, Walker Fire District Consolidation Study - Baseline Review and Analysis of Options
CGR completed a consolidation study for the Fire Districts of Hamlin, Morton and Walker. The districts are located primarily in the northwest quadrant of Monroe County NY, largely covering the Town of Hamlin. The districts jointly agreed to study the operational and tax impacts associated with consolidation to address the...
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Options for the Future - A Report for the Village of Painted Post and the Town of Erwin
Facing serious fiscal challenges, the Painted Post NY village board appointed a committee to examine options for the future and project related financial and property tax impacts. In its December 2011 report, the committee provides a strategic framework for creating a more cost effective way to deliver local government...
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Options for the Future for the Village of Hudson Falls and the Town of Kingsbury
Leadership in the Village of Hudson Falls agreed to assess options for increasing efficiency and promoting taxpayer savings - up to and including dissolution. A study committee, with support from CGR, identified a range of options from co-locating offices to coordinating capital planning and purchasing for fire services. As required...
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Elector Initiated Dissolution Plan and Report for the Village of Altmar
On Dec. 6, 2011, voters in the Village of Altmar approved an elector-initiated dissolution plan by a vote of 54 to 50. As a result, Altmar is the first village in NY to approve dissolution under a state law that took effect in March 2010. The village will be...
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Village of Potsdam Dissolution Study and Dissolution Plan
Located in northern NYS, the Town of Potsdam includes two villages; with the majority of residents living in the Village of Potsdam, population 10,000. Home to two state universities, nearly 70% of village properties are tax-exempt – putting pressure on village residents to cover a large share of the costs...
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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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Government Reorganization Feasibility Study for the Village of Medina and Surrounding Towns
The Village of Medina and the Towns of Ridgeway and Shelby commissioned CGR in 2010 to assist an Inter Municipal Study Committee to explore potential benefits of sharing services and merging the Towns, and/or dissolving the Village. The project was paid for in part by a NYS Local Government...
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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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Herkimer County Highway Shared Services/Consolidation Study - Options for Increasing Efficiency
CGR completed a report that evaluated ways that the 31 local governments in Herkimer County might be able to maintain roads and bridges within the County more efficiently. The report is designed to be a long range planning document for the local governments. Using GIS mapping along with...
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Town of Aurora and Village of East Aurora: Options for Shared Highway/DPW Services
The Town of Aurora and Village of East Aurora in western NY engaged CGR to document the existing operations in their highway and public works departments and to explore options for increasing efficiency and effectiveness and maximizing the return to taxpayers. The communities have a history of identifying areas...
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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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Village of Edwards Dissolution Study and Dissolution Plan
The Village of Edwards, population 440, is located in NY's southern St. Lawrence County. In the years since 1981, when the last mine in this rural area closed, the community lost virtually all of its business and retail base. After receiving a state Local Government Efficiency grant, the village engaged...
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Village of Candor Dissolution Study and Dissolution Plan
The Village of Candor, population 794, is located in the Southern Tier of New York State and received a petition calling for a plan of dissolution of the village government. The village engaged CGR to assist a committee of residents in developing cost-effective options to deliver municipal services up to...
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Analysis of Shared Services in the Village and Town of Geneseo Code Enforcement and Courts
The Village and Town of Geneseo have a long history of sharing municipal services. The municipalities decided to formally study two informal sharing relationships – code enforcement and courts. One goal was to understand if the current arrangement for code enforcement is still advantageous or whether the communities should formalize...
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Village of Dansville Dissolution/Coterminous Feasibility Study
The Village of Dansville and Town of North Dansville NY are interested in controlling costs through shared service opportunities up to and including full consolidation. While elected officials were originally intrigued by the concept of becoming a co-terminous village and town, a full study found that pursuing city status...
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Options for Shared Police Services in the Villages of West Carthage and Carthage
CGR developed a report for the Villages of West Carthage and Carthage Shared Police Services Study Committee that identified a range of options for the two villages to improve delivery of police services currently being provided by their two separate departments. The options ranged from better coordinating operations of...
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Village of Holley & Town of Murray Shared Services/Consolidation Study
The Village of Holley NY, in partnership with the Town of Murray, engaged CGR to study the feasibility of enhancing shared services and/or consolidation in the areas of code enforcement, DPW / highway, purchasing and tax collection. As a result of our analyses, CGR found little opportunity in the areas...
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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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Village of Brockport NY Dissolution Vote
On June 15, 2010, voters in the Village of Brockport rejected dissolving the village by a vote of 959-662. Brockport was the first village to hold a dissolution vote under a new NYS law that became effective in spring 2010. Unlike previous referendums on dissolving a village in the state,...
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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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Village of Perrysburg Dissolution Feasibility Study: Final Report on Dissolution and Alternatives to Dissolution for the Village of Perrysburg
The Village of Perrysburg NY has a population of about 380 residents, covers one square mile, and in recent years has lost most of its private businesses. In 2009, CGR was engaged to complete a study identifying options for the village, up to and including dissolving the village and consolidating...
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Dissolution Study and Plan: Village of Port Henry, NY
In March 2010, voters in the Village of Port Henry, located in NY’s Adirondack Park, voted 186-146 against dissolving the village. Had voters approved dissolution, responsibility for providing services would have been assumed by the Town of Moriah per a dissolution plan developed by a joint village/town committee. CGR was...
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Greenburgh/Dobbs Ferry Police Consolidation & Shared Services Study
After receiving a NYS grant to study consolidation and engaging CGR as study consultant, a joint Village/Town Steering Committee spent nearly a year investigating and assessing options for the future of the two police departments. In November 2009 the Committee delivered its final report to the Town and Village Boards...
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Village of North Collins Dissolution Feasibility Study: Final Report on Dissolution and Alternatives to Dissolution for the Village of North Collins
The Village of North Collins NY initiated a consolidation, merger and dissolution feasibility study in spring 2009. A dissolution study committee, assisted by CGR, prepared a report including a formal dissolution plan and alternatives to dissolution and delivered it to the Village board in late 2009. The board subsequently voted...
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Village of Seneca Falls Dissolution Plan: Final Report on Dissolution and Alternatives to Dissolution for the Village of Seneca Falls
The Village and Town of Seneca Falls NY initially engaged CGR to assess ways to achieve a major goal: reduce the cost of government to help stimulate economic growth in the community. CGR found, in a 2008 study, that consolidating the governments would offer potential for major savings for village...
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Feasibility of Creating a Central Business Office for Sullivan County BOCES and Component Districts
Faced with enrollment declines, increased operating expenses, and steep reductions in state aid, the Sullivan County (NY) BOCES engaged CGR to determine whether there are cost savings and efficiencies from combining business office functions for any of 7 participating school districts. CGR provides 4 models that give the districts...
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Village of Johnson City Dissolution Report and Plan Addendum August 31, 2009
In November 2009, voters in the Village of Johnson City NY rejected by a 40-vote margin (2,256 to 2,216) a referendum to dissolve the Village and consolidate it with the Town of Union. A study committee spent 18 months developing a plan for having one government. CGR provided staff...
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Consolidation Study for the Village of Albion, Town of Albion and Town of Gaines
Four-fifths of the Village of Albion is in the Town of Albion, and one fifth is in the Town of Gaines. A CGR study found limited opportunity for the three municipalities to generate significant cost savings through shared service agreements. However, if the Village and Town of Albion consolidate, overall...
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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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Village of Lake Placid/Town of North Elba Shared Services Study
CGR completed a study in 2008 for the Village of Lake Placid and the Town of North Elba that evaluated opportunities to expand shared services between the village and town to reduce costs and share them more equitably. The study focused primarily on parks, public works and administrative...
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Final Report on Strategic Alternatives for the Village & Town of Seneca Falls, NY: Considerations for a New Governance Model
The leaders of the Village & Town of Seneca Falls engaged CGR to help them achieve a major goal: reducing the cost of government to help stimulate economic growth in the greater community. They asked CGR to develop a strategic plan for implementing shared service alternatives up to and including...
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Opportunities for School District Savings in Nassau County
Through the impetus of County Executive Tom Suozzi, Nassau County set out to develop an action plan aimed at reducing the growth of property taxes. What distinguished this effort was the County’s focus on units of local government over which it had no direct control. Using a collaborative...
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A Study of Shared Service Opportunities for the Village and Town of Cobleskill, NY
The Village and Town of Cobleskill in NY’s Adirondack region received a state Shared Municipal Services Incentive (SMSI) grant to identify options for increased service sharing or consolidation. CGR’s report describes options in 3 key categories that could lead to increased efficiency and/or cost savings. The categories include sharing services...
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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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Consolidating Police Services in Whitestown, New York - Options for the Future
Five communities in Oneida County – the Town of Whitestown, and the Villages of Yorkville, New York Mills, Whitesboro and Oriskany – had discussed off and on over the years consolidating their separate police departments. CGR was engaged to provide, for the first time, comprehensive information that can serve as...
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Opportunities to Use Shared Services and Consolidation Strategies to Improve Efficiency, Effectiveness and Equity in Local Government Observations from Three City/Town Groups in Upstate New York
NY’s Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness engaged CGR to analyze local governments (city and town) in the Oneonta, Norwich and Cortland areas and evaluate opportunities to share services and/or consolidate. CGR’s report of the issues and options in the 3 city/town groups focuses attention on workable and realistic...
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Village of Speculator Dissolution Plan and Options for Shared Services: Findings and Alternatives
In response to a resident-initiated petition to dissolve the Village of Speculator in NY’s Adirondack region, Village leaders were required by state law to develop a dissolution plan and present it to Village voters. CGR was engaged to study all options for shared services up to and including dissolution of...
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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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Feasibility of Creating a Central Business Office in the Schuyler-Chemung-Tioga BOCES Region
CGR recommended the creation of a central business office among the districts within the Schuyler-Chemung-Tioga BOCES district. Centralization would save more than $434,000 a year, or 55 percent of current expenses. It would also expand safeguards protecting against accounting problems, improve management and integrity of fiscal information, and expand access...
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Thinking Beyond Boundaries: Opportunities to Use Regional and Local Strategies to Strengthen Public Education in the Broome-Tioga Region
CGR conducted a major study for the 15 school districts in NY’s Broome-Tioga BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) that evaluated opportunities for reducing costs and improving services by sharing services, consolidating districts or merging. The study, completed in 2004, identified a large number of opportunities for the...
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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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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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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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