FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 12, 2017

Contact: Jane Lerner, Director of Strategic Communications
Office of the County Executive (845) 638-5645

Rockland Shared Services Public Hearing on Wednesday

NEW CITY, NY – Rockland residents are asked to bring their ideas for saving money by making government services more efficient to a public hearing.

The first public hearing of the  Rockland County-wide Shared Services Initiative Panel  will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, at the Fieldstone Middle School, Auditorium, 100 Fieldstone Drive, Thiells.

“We need to think creatively about ways to save money for taxpayers,” the County Executive said. “Everything is on the table. We want to hear ideas.”

The Shared Services Initiative is a statewide requirement included in the state budget.

The initiative calls upon the County Executive to come up with a plan to save property tax dollars by having municipalities and taxing districts share and centralize services.

“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,” Day said.

More than 50 government agencies were asked 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. The first meeting was held May 2.

“We got a very encouraging response from our first meeting,” the County Executive said. “Now it’s time to hear from the public.”

Under state law, a shared services plan has to be presented to the County Legislature by August 1.

Two more public hearings will be held:

• 7:30 p.m., May 24, RCC, Technology Building, 145 College Road, Suffern.
•  7 p.m., June 8, Dominican College, Fury Lecture Hall, Ground Floor, 3 Campus Drive, Blauvelt.

Under state law, a shared services plan has to be presented to the County Legislature by August 1.