For Immediate Release:
November 24, 2009
Monmouth County launches shared services Web site
Centralized resources will help facilitate new municipal partnerships
FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth County Shared Services have recorded estimated cost savings across several municipalities in the multi-million dollar range. Today, the county has launched a Web site dedicated to creating additional local partnerships and saving more taxpayer money.
"Monmouth County is taking the lead locally to create opportunities for shared services partnerships," Freeholder Robert D. Clifton said. "There are not just partnerships with the county, but municipal-to-municipal partnerships as well. Using the county's Web site, the county has created a centralized depository of documentation and information to service, facilitate and coordinate all county and municipal departments and their needs in the burgeoning shared services arena."
"The county serves as a 'one stop shop' for any county department or Monmouth County municipality seeking to access cost savings through county provided resource programs," said Stephen Callas, Monmouth County's shared services coordinator. "For the first time there is a central resource in our larger community where shared services partners can go to find opportunities to reduce costs."
Municipalities, schools and local authorities now have the ability to access a system in which they can go to the Web site, identify a "match" and enter into a share services agreement with another town or authority that is seeking the same savings in the same area of services.
"Through this centralizing and streamlining of the system, Monmouth County is equipped to better serve and facilitate shared services projects," said John Ciufo, administrative department director of the county's Department of Planning, Economic Development and Regulatory Affairs.
The viability of shared services has been proven through the significant reduction in expenditures required by local governments to deliver the required services to their constituencies. Shared Services produces a positive reduction in costs to taxpayers and relieves budgetary stress while continuing and potentially expanding the routine delivery of services.
"For example, the county is currently providing the highest level of 911 emergency communications services to participating municipalities at a fraction of their individual costs," Clifton said. "Currently, 45 Monmouth municipalities, two military facilities, nine police departments, 30 fire departments and 22 first aid squads utilize this valuable and cost efficient shared service."
As the shared services program evolves, the potential for saving taxpayer dollars through shared services arrangements continues to touch new areas and partners, including school districts, information technology, recreation, computer lab and library facilities, solid waste disposal, recycling, open space acquisition and Municipal Court consolidation.
In addition to fostering partnerships among municipalities, schools and local authorities independent of the county, the Web site also will highlight areas in which these public agencies can partner with the county or in which the county can assist them in finding savings through the county's Cooperative Purchasing Program.
Under the County Co-Op, as long as the agencies use the terms and conditions the county has with a vendor, they can use it to purchase equipment and supplies. Since the county has already gone out to bid, the agencies do not have to do so, as long as the vendor extends the county's price to them.
Also on the Web is information about the county's Commodity Resale Program which enables schools and towns to purchase items directly from the county. For example, if the county has purchased a large quantity of road salt, the agencies can buy what they need from the county. The county will extend its price to them plus the cost of loading or transporting the material for them.
"Chances are the county's price will be better than if the schools or municipalities go out on their own because the county is buying in much larger quantities," Clifton said.
Finally, public agencies can also participate in the county's municipal assistance/shared services program. For example, the county currently allows towns to utilize equipment the county owns, or will send out a mechanic to diagnose an engine problem and repair it if requested.
For details on the municipal assistance/shared services program, contact the county's Department of Public Works and Engineering at 732-577-8758. The new shared services Web site can be accessed at
www.visitmonmouth.com.
"This Web site advances the county's outreach to existing and potential partners in a focused effort to grow county-to-county, county-to-municipal, municipal-to-municipal, county-to-authority and other shared services partnerships," Clifton said. "It will help to more quickly facilitate agreements and new shared services requests from municipalities, allowing for continued growth and cost benefits. The result is simple and clear - the program has delivered real savings to taxpayers."
# # #