NY Secretary of State Releases Annual Local Government Efficiency Report

• by New York State Department of State

SLEEPY HOLLOW, NY (01/27/2010)(readMedia)-- New York Secretary of State Cortés-Vázquez today released the 2008-2009 Annual Report for the Department of State's Local Government Efficiency Program, highlighting ways in which the Department has provided financial and technical assistance to local governments to reduce taxpayer costs through consolidation of services and improved fiscal efficiency.

The Department of State has been administering New York's Local Government Efficiency Program since 2005, and each year the Department produces a report outlining identifying new strategies to strengthen the LGE Program in response to the changing needs of local governments.

"This report tells us that local governments are effectively leveraging this incentive to complete projects that provide real taxpayer savings," Secretary of State Cortés-Vázquez said. "The Department of State remains committed to building upon our long tradition as a partner with local government, and I am proud of our accomplishments and the work of New York's local government leaders. We will continue to assist municipalities explore options that produce cost saving and efficiencies, with the ultimate goal of reducing local property taxes while maintaining and improving services."

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Chair of the Senate Local Governments Committee, said, "The success of the Department of State's LGE Program has demonstrated how much can be achieved when every level of government works together to create taxpayer savings. I commend Secretary of State Cortés-Vázquez for her leadership on the important issues of government efficiency, reducing the burdens on taxpayers and protecting our environment."

Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, Chair of the Assembly Local Governments Committee, said, "Local Government Efficiency grants provide communities with valuable resources to save money. I will continue to support the use of these grants that assist both the municipality and the local taxpayer in real cost savings and shared services for individual projects throughout the state."

Since the inception of the LGE program, DOS has received 1,014 applications, requesting more than $183 million. There have been 270 awards made to local governments totaling some $45 million – for an estimated savings of $418 million to taxpayers.

The report includes a summary of all LGE grant applications and awards, an assessment of project implementation and an estimate of overall financial savings achieved by municipalities participating in the Department of State's shared services initiatives.

To download a copy of the report, please visit: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lgss/sharedservices/index.html.