NYS Department of State: Additional $4 million available to local governments for efficiency initiatives through countywide shared services program

One-time funding opportunity encourages counties and municipalities to implement previously submitted shared services proposals

The New York State Department of State announced the availability of $4 million in funding designed to aid local governments in their efforts to implement efficiency and cost-saving measures that were identified under a previously submitted countywide shared services initiative (CWSSI) plan, but never implemented or completed. The state said, “CWSSI facilitates the streamlining and modernization of municipal services through consolidation of services and government efficiencies to help save taxpayer money. The new program is made possible through the release of previously unallotted Local Government Efficiency grant funds, which were not released as a result of the pandemic.”

Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “A critical function of the Department of State is helping local governments find efficiencies and share services to protect New York taxpayers. This reallocation of funding to help existing ideas come to fruition will further our collective efforts to eliminate duplicative spending and implement consolidation of government services to help reduce the tax bill.”

Counties and partner local governments may apply for the funding to implement projects they had previously submitted through CWSSI plans in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, but were not completed. CWSSI projects that previously received state matching funds will be eligible if additional partner governments have been or will be added since receiving the award. Applications will be submitted through the state’s CFA portal. Awards may be granted for up to 90% of the project cost.

Hochul’s team said, “Since 2017, the CWSSI has generated property tax savings by facilitating collaboration between local governments across the state. Over the last five years, the CWSSI program has awarded more than $34 million in matching funds to 20 counties, supporting 93 shared services projects, and generating approximately $34.5 million in savings to local governments. This one-time program provides an opportunity to complete other projects in submitted plans.”

Guidance documents regarding the CWSSI and state match application process, as well as past CWSSI plans, are available here.

The programs are administered by the Division of Local Government Services at the Department of State. The division provides technical assistance and competitive grants to local governments. For more information on CWSSI or any programs administered by the division, email [email protected] or call 518 473-3355.