Government Modernization Syracuse 20/20. Our local government structure How other regions / cities operate NYS & Local Studies on government consolidation.

Government Modernization

Syracuse 20/20

Our local government structure

How other regions / cities operate

NYS & Local Studies on government consolidation

Consolidation buzz and economic momentum

Getting involved

Agenda

How is our local government structured?

NYS Local Government Complexity

General Purpose Local Governments 1,607Counties 57

Cities 62

Towns 932

Villages 556

Special Purpose Local Governments 1,811School Districts 685

Fire Districts 867

Library Districts 181

Commissioner-run Special Districts 78

Other Governmental Entities 1,302Special Purpose Units of Local Government 311

Local Public Authorities 993

Total Local Government Entities 4,720Source: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

~210 People on legislative boards ~ 291 on Planning boards ~160 on Zoning appeals boards

~62 on 9 Conservation commissions ~ 2 Historic preservation boards

Over 1300 Special Service Districts

177 Drainage Districts

188 Street Lighting Districts

20 Garbage & Refuse

10 Park Districts

143 Water Districts

34 Zoning Ordinances

34 Subdivision Regulations

What has our current structure given us?

No strategic vision for the region

VillagesCounty

Towns

City

Impacted the way we have grown

Lack of economic development

Inefficiencies and increased tax burden

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000

350000

400000

450000

500000

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Total – County / City

County (w/o City)

City

+34%

+159%

-34%

Population Shift

Population continues to shift away from the citySource :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 grownSources: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

Sprawl without Population growth

RT 31 Town of Clay

No strategic vision for the region

VillagesCounty

Towns

City

Impacted the way we have grown

Lack of economic development

Inefficiencies and increased tax burden

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

VillagesCounty

Towns

City

Impacted the way we have grown

Lack of economic development

Inefficiencies and increased tax burden

Increasing Tax Burden

7th Highest Property Tax Rate in the nation

67%67%

40%37%

21%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

County City Towns Villages Fire Districts

Spending Growth Current Operations 1997-2004

5 Heavy Rescues for 8 Million Residents

New York City

Inefficiencies & Duplication

www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/units/index.shtml Sources:

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 Study completed in 2005www.nyslocalgov.org

Consolidation Buzz

Sources: WWW.Syracuse.com

We are at a tipping point…

Job Growth

Diversifying Economy

Center of Excellence

Strong Real Estate

Downtown Development

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