Consolidation/Shared Services Committee

League of Women Voters^®
of Schenectady County

New State Position: Local Consolidation/Shared Services

At its July Meeting the Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of New York State approved the League's Government Consolidation/Shared Services Position. Twenty-two Leagues participated in the study. Thank you to Committee Chair Noreen Fisher (Scarsdale), Issue and Advocacy Vice President Sally Robinson and all the Leagues whose participation made this study a success. New State Position: Local Consolidation/Shared Services
POSITION ON CONSOLIDATION OF GOVERNMENTAL UNITS AND SHARING OF MAJOR GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES
Adopted July 15, 2010
The League of Women Voters of New York State (League) supports the efficient and effective operation of government. Consolidation of governmental units and the sharing of major governmental services may be a way of promoting the efficient and effective operation of government. ( As used in this position, consolidation refers to both the process of consolidation and the process of dissolution.) In achieving this goal, the League supports a cooperative and transparent process, in which citizens have sufficient and timely information with which to make informed decisions about proposed actions, and well-defined channels for citizen input and review. Administrative and fiscal efficiency should be included in the criteria by which local governments consider whether to consolidate or share major services. The League supports a system of state-funded grants to local governments to study the feasibility of the consolidation of governmental units or sharing of governmental services. In determining whether to support a consolidation/shared services proposal at the local level, as a way of making government more efficient and effective, local Leagues must consider both the adequacy of the process and the likely effects of the proposal's implementation.
In determining whether to support a consolidation/ shared services proposal as a way of making government more efficient and effective, local Leagues should apply the following criteria. While it is not necessary that each standard be met, the League recognizes that these standards represent potential benefits of consolidation, leading to more efficient and effective government:

Will the proposal result in projected cost savings and a positive effect on taxes over the long term;

Will the proposal either result in an increased quality and/or efficiency of services or, at a minimum, maintain services at existing levels;* Will the proposal fairly address disparities in employee contracts;

Will the proposal result in increased social and economic justice;

Will the proposal result in a reduction in the number of governmental entities?

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: August 28, 2010 07:24 PDT.