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 1,607 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:

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: & 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 Villages County Towns City Impacted the way we have grown Lack of economic development Inefficiencies and increased tax burden

Total – County / City County (w/o City) City +34% +159% -34% Population Shift Population continues to shift away from the city Source :US Census Data

Urban and developed areas (1960) Population 418, SQ Miles Urban and developed areas (2000) Population 458, 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 Sprawl without Population growth RT 31 Town of Clay

No strategic vision for the region Villages County 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 Villages County Towns City  Impacted the way we have grown  Lack of economic development  Inefficiencies and increased tax burden

Increasing Tax Burden 7 th Highest Property Tax Rate in the nation

Spending Growth Current Operations

5 Heavy Rescues for 8 Million Residents New York City Inefficiencies & Duplication

Onondaga County 48 Heavy Rescues for 458,000 Residents Is this the most efficient way? Sources:

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:

NYS Study and Local Studies State estimates over 1 billion in savingsStudy completed in

Consolidation Buzz Sources:

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.  ,

Thank You