Transcript Modernizing Local Government

Government Modernization
Syracuse 20/20
Agenda
 Our local government structure
 How other regions / cities operate
 NYS & Local Studies on government consolidation
 Consolidation buzz and economic momentum
 Getting involved
How is our local government
structured?
NYS Local Government Complexity
General Purpose Local Governments 1,607
Counties 57
Cities 62
Towns 932
Villages 556
Special Purpose Local Governments 1,811
School Districts 685
Fire Districts 867
Library Districts 181
Commissioner-run Special Districts 78
Other Governmental Entities 1,302
Special Purpose Units of Local Government 311
Local Public Authorities 993
Total Local Government Entities 4,720
Source:www.nyslocalgov.org/
What does that mean to Onondaga County?
35 Municipalities in the County
• 19 Towns
• 15 Villages
• 1 City
58 Fire Departments
16 Police Departments
18 School Districts
38 Highway
Departments
Sources: www.ongov.net & www.signal99.com
Source: Patterns of Government In Onondaga County:
Structure and services of County, City, Town and Villages
Governments
10 Park Districts
Over 1300 Special
Service Districts
143 Water Districts
177 Drainage Districts
34 Zoning Ordinances
188 Street Lighting
Districts
20 Garbage & Refuse
34 Subdivision
Regulations
~210 People on legislative boards ~ 291 on Planning boards ~160 on Zoning appeals boards
~62 on 9 Conservation commissions ~ 2 Historic preservation boards
What has our current
structure given us?
No strategic vision for the region
Towns
 Impacted the way we have grown
Villages
County
 Lack of economic development
 Inefficiencies and increased tax
burden
City
Population Shift
500000
Total – County / City
+34%
450000
400000
350000
County (w/o City)
300000
+159%
250000
200000
City
150000
-34%
100000
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
Population continues to shift away from the city
Source :US Census Data
Urban and developed areas (1960)
Population 418,000
61 SQ Miles
Urban and developed areas (2000)
Population 458,000
122 SQ Miles
No comprehensive plan to the way we have grown
Sources:Onondaga County Department of Planning 11/1/1962 ~ NOAA Costal Change Analysis, 2001 ~ U.S. Census 1960 & 2000
Growing at what expense??
Downtown 1950’s
Growing at what expense??
Downtown Today
Not just affecting the city…villages and first ring suburbs
Village of Manlius
Does government play a role in how we grow?
Town of Onondaga
RT 31 Town of Clay
Sprawl without Population growth
No strategic vision for the region
Towns
 Impacted the way we have grown
Villages
County
 Lack of economic development
 Inefficiencies and increased tax
burden
City
Lack of economic development
In the 1990’s US average job growth was 20%, upstate was around 6%
Lack of economic development
Per capita income well below US averages
No strategic vision for the region
Towns
 Impacted the way we have grown
Villages
County
 Lack of economic development
 Inefficiencies and increased tax
burden
City
Increasing Tax Burden
7th Highest Property Tax Rate in the nation
Spending Growth Current Operations 1997-2004
80%
70%
67%
67%
60%
50%
40%
37%
40%
30%
20%
21%
10%
0%
County
City
Towns
Villages
Fire Districts
Inefficiencies & Duplication
New York City
5 Heavy Rescues for 8 Million Residents
Sources:www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/units/index.shtml
Onondaga County
48 Heavy Rescues for 458,000 Residents
Is this the most efficient way?
Sources: WWW.Signal99.com
How Do Other Regions Operate?
Unigov - Est 1970
City & County consolidated government
2005 voted for Metro police force
City or County Government
No town or village government
County wide School / Police / Fire
City Government
Elected Metro Planning Organization
oversees land use & planning for
metro area (25 municipalities)
Recent Consolidations – Louisville, KY Voted in 2003 to merge Jefferson
County and City of Louisville
Sources:www.wikipedia.org
NYS Study and Local Studies
State estimates over 1 billion in savings
www.nyslocalgov.org
Study completed in 2005
Consolidation Buzz
Sources: WWW.Syracuse.com
We are at a tipping point…
Job Growth
Downtown Development
Strong Real Estate
Diversifying Economy
Center of Excellence
How can you get involved?


Whatever your opinion, help spread the word.
Talk to your local representatives – Attend your Town
or Village board meetings

Volunteer - join the work group, become a speaker,
lead a conversation circle, or whatever!

Write a letter to the editor.

Connect us to other groups.

423-7832, [email protected]
Thank You