Robert Marchant writes on today’s Pressconnects.com -”A plan to share services between towns, villages and cities could save New York municipalities $765 million, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said this week.

DiNapoli said the savings to taxpayers would largely come through sharing “back-office” functions like clerical work, payroll, accounting and human resources. DiNapoli’s office has also put together a list of tips for getting started on shared-service arrangements, contacts for more information and guidelines for best practices. The report highlights places around the state where local governments have come together and lowered costs.

“At a time of declining revenues and resources, we’re very much between a rock and a hard place. Now more than ever, it’s important for local government to economize and find new ways to deliver services. Now is the best time to seize the opportunity,” said DiNapoli, who chose Cortland to officially announce his report because of the work its administration has done on shared services and its connections with Assemblywoman Sandra Galef, D-Ossining, a longtime proponent of shared services.”

To read the rest of the story click here.

To read the Comptroller’s press release or read the full report click here.