State Approves Matches of Taxpayer Savings Generated Through the Implementation of Two Madison County-Led Projects in 2022 and 2023

Funding Provided Through County-Wide Shared Services Initiative

Secretary Mosley: “Madison County has taken advantage of the incentives provided by the County-Wide Shared Services Initiative and found ways to achieve long-term savings for its taxpayers.”

The New York Department of State today announced that Madison County will receive $554,155 in state matching funds as a result of taxpayer savings achieved through shared services projects developed in 2022 and 2023. The funding was made available through the New York State County-Wide Shared Services Initiative, which provides a one-time state match of county and local government taxpayer savings achieved in the first year of implementation of new shared services projects. Additionally, these projects are expected to result in year-to-year municipal savings.

“Madison County has taken advantage of the incentives provided by the County-Wide Shared Services Initiative and found ways to achieve long-term savings for its taxpayers,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “Working to form partnerships that improve services and save costs for taxpayers is good governance, and I commend the County for its efforts.”

As part of the County-Wide Shared Services Initiative (CWSSI), Madison County created Shared Services Plans in 2022 and 2023 that identified ways to consolidate services and save taxpayer money through government efficiencies in services and community programs.

The shared services implemented as part of these plans that achieved taxpayer savings are as follows:

County Based Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Project – $451,346 CWSSI Award
This 2022 shared services initiative between Madison County and the Town of Sullivan reviewed the feasibility of county-wide emergency medical services. In 2023, the Towns of Hamilton and Lebanon were added. The program is underway with three stations operational.

Shared Mental Health Services Counselors – $102,809 CWSSI Award
This measure provides mental health services for schools through the sharing of mental health counselors between Madison County, the Morrisville-Eaton School District and the Cazenovia School District.

Mark Scimone, Madison County Administrator, said, “These shared services projects not only save local tax dollars, they directly improve the lives of our residents. The county-based EMS program is helping deliver life-saving care in areas that don’t have local providers, filling critical gaps in emergency response.  By providing mental health counselors in our schools, we’re ensuring our children have access to support right where they are. This is smart, collaborative government focused on meeting critical needs in our communities.”

About The County-Wide Shared Service Initiative Program
The County-Wide Shared Service Initiative program, which sunsets this year, has generated property tax savings by facilitating collaboration between local governments across the state. New York State has matched over $40 million in one-year savings to local governments and taxpayers from over 100 shared services projects over the last five years. CWSSI expands on New York State’s ongoing commitment to reduce property taxes and modernize local government services by fostering new shared services and enhancing the existing collaborations already in place.

The County-Wide Services Initiative is administered by the Division of Local Government Services at the Department of State. The Division provides training, technical assistance, and grants to local governments. For more information on CWSSI or any programs administered by the Division, please contact localgov@dos.ny.gov or call 518-473-3355.