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Chautauqua County committee renames, expands government efficiency fund to include special districts
Summary
The Administrative Services Committee approved an amendment to a 2017 resolution renaming the Government Reduction Initiative and opening its efficiency fund to special districts; members discussed whether the fund could be used for studies and noted legislative appropriation requirements.
Chautauqua County’s Administrative Services Committee on Tuesday approved an amendment to a 2017 resolution that renames the Government Reduction Initiative and expands eligibility for a county efficiency fund to include special districts as well as municipalities.
County Executive P.J. Wendell, who presented the amendment, said the change would rebrand the program as a government efficiency fund and broaden eligibility beyond towns, villages and cities. "I refer to it as the government efficiency fund," Wendell said. "I would like to rename it just because I don't wanna give the belief that all the purpose is is to reduce government. If it reduces government, so be it. But, we're looking at just creating those efficiencies." He added the program would be "open to districts" in addition to municipalities.
The amendment passed after a voice vote. Committee members said several local municipalities have already signaled support: Wendell said eight to 10 municipalities have passed resolutions backing the change and others have sent statements of support. He also said two municipalities—Village of Fredonia and the Town of Pomfret—had indicated they were aligned with the proposal.
Committee members questioned whether the fund could be used to pay for studies, and whether that risked many small study requests without resulting action. "Is this gonna allow the funding of studies? I'm a big fan of studies, and I would hate to see five municipalities ask for a $100,000 for five studies because it doesn't seem like we're accomplishing a lot with that," a committee member asked. Wendell acknowledged the concern and said some state requirements push up study costs over time, and that final decisions would rest with the legislature when appropriations are made.
Another committee member reminded the body that "any appropriation of funds for any project has to be approved by the legislature," a point members said was included to make clear that even if the fund is authorized, uses of the money will require legislative approval.
Wendell said two municipalities had projects ready to apply for funding once the program becomes available, and staff members Kristen and Nate had worked on the amendment. The committee unanimously approved the amendment by voice vote.
The measure does not specify an appropriation amount in committee; any funding would be subject to subsequent legislative appropriation and oversight.
Committee action: resolution amendment approved by voice vote. No numeric vote tally was recorded in the committee transcript.
