Rockland County Exec Convenes Shared Services Initiative Panel

NEW CITY, NY - Getting started on a project to save money for taxpayers by creating efficiencies in local government, Rockland County Executive Ed Day has invited more than 50 municipalities and agencies to a panel on Tuesday, May 2.

This meeting will be the first step in implementing the County-wide Shared Services Initiative, included in the state budget passed earlier this month.

The idea comes from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who explained the plan in a speech he delivered in Haverstraw about the high property-tax burden in New York State.

"Property taxes are breaking the back of this state," Cuomo said in February, using Rockland as an example. The average Rockland taxpayer pays $1,200 in state taxes and $9,000 in property taxes, he said. There are 102 local government taxing entities in Rockland. There are 47 different offices.

"You can't tell me that you can't sit down at a table and find savings," Cuomo said at the time. He did not, however, mention school districts, though that's where most property tax revenue goes in New York.

"It's not going to be easy," Day said last week. "But we owe it to our constituents to explore every possible way to streamline government and make it more efficient and less costly."

The Rockland County Executive has invited representatives from more than 50 government agencies to take part in the panel, including town supervisors, mayors, school superintendents and officials from sewer districts, solid waste authority and ambulance districts, among others.

Towns and villages are required to be part of the initiative. Schools are urged to take part.

"We very much hope that school districts are a key part of the process since school taxes make up two-thirds of the average property tax bill," the County Executive said.

Day noted that there are few details available from the state about the new state law. A copy of the law is available on the Secretary of State website here or here. The county is still seeking and receiving clarification about the many requirements and details, Day said. The county has received only minimal guidance.

"At our first meeting, we will organize the panel, discuss the state-mandated scheduled and goals and start figuring out the process by which we will achieve those goals," Day said.

Everyone has much to gain from a successful outcome, Day said.

"The possibilities for saving tax dollars, and streamlining government by combining our efforts and reducing duplication will benefit our residents and businesses and improve the quality of life in Rockland County," he said.

The Rockland County-wide Shared Services Initiative Panel will hold its first meeting at 7 p.m., at the Rockland Community College Tech Building auditorium.

SEE: 'Property Taxes Are Breaking The Back Of This State': Gov. Cuomo