CGR to Complete Efficiency and Restructuring Project for Schuyler and Yates Counties

PENN YAN, N.Y. - May 8, 2014 - PRLog -- CGR has been engaged by the counties of Schuyler and Yates in New York’s southern tier to complete an analysis of service delivery and governance options. The project will examine the potential operational and fiscal benefits of sharing services, merging common functions and consolidating the two counties into a single government.

A full merger of two counties is a restructuring option that is without precedent in modern New York State history.

Funded in part by New York State’s Local Government Efficiency grant program, CGR’s engagement will be overseen by a steering committee comprised of administrators, legislators and department heads representing both governments.

The counties are located along the western and southern edges of Seneca Lake, approximately 50 miles south of Rochester, New York. Combined, they account for annual expenditures in excess of $83 million, have a population of more than 43,000 residents and span over 700 square miles. Both are full service general purpose local governments providing services that include highway and public works, sheriff / public safety, planning, real property tax services and social services.

As part of the project, CGR will complete an existing conditions review of operations in both counties, analyze potential restructuring and consolidation options, identify regulatory issues at the state and federal levels that may pose barriers to consolidation, and provide implementation planning counsel.

The project is expected to take approximately 12 months.

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About CGR

Founded in 1915, CGR is a leading independent nonprofit management consulting organization serving governments, nonprofits and community institutions in the areas of government management and education; public finance and economics; health and human services; and community data and information management. From decision analysis to service optimization, change management to organizational improvement, and performance assessment to community research, CGR applies a century of experience, industry-leading expertise and unwavering commitment to every project, because when our client communities succeed, we succeed.