Ogdensburg to mull ways to make government more efficient

OGDENSBURG — Inspired by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's call for government efficiency, city officials here soon may gather to see what parts of government can be eliminated, consolidated and made more efficient.

Councilman Nicholas J. Vaugh will propose a committee on government efficiency and reform at Monday's City Council meeting. Hundreds of miles from Albany, Mr. Vaugh said, Mr. Cuomo's message of shared sacrifice, of turning over every stone, resonates.

"You saw the mandate in the last election, in the state and even nationally," Mr. Vaugh said. "The people that live in Ogdensburg and New York state want a leaner, more efficient government."

To that end, Mr. Vaugh will propose a committee that will include two members of the City Council, the city manager and the comptroller. Mr. Vaugh said he'd like to serve on the committee, which will present recommendations to the council.

As for specifics, there are few, Mr. Vaugh said, but the city must look at everything it can, from shared services with other municipalities to outsourcing some of its services to looking at unfunded mandates.

On shared services, Mr. Vaugh said, the committee should look at sharing resources from the Department of Public Works and the Parks and Recreation Department with the school district and surrounding towns.

"Can we work together in certain areas?" Mr. Vaugh said. "We can improve service and reduce costs."

On outsourcing services, Mr. Vaugh noted the city has contracted out services such as the city engineer and city attorney, rather than hire one full time. He said the city's services have improved as a result.

Mandates are trickier. The often costly requirements that Albany imposes on municipalities are a constant sore spot for municipal officials, but municipalities have no control over them.

Mr. Cuomo issued an executive order to put together a team of officials who will study the issue. Mr. Vaugh said his proposed committee could bring its results to that team.

"We need to be aggressive and outspoken on mandate relief," he said.

The idea first must receive the approval of City Council.