GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE Page 2

GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE Page 2

February 16, 2011

GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE

MURPHY, SCHWERD, CLARK

February 16, 2011

The committee began with a tour of the Meadows Office Complex.

COOPERATIVE GOVERNMENT PROJECT – TERRY BLISS

Mr. Bliss explained that the cooperative government project is designed to look at the potential for cost share initiatives amongst the various units of county and local governments. He stated that the test group contains Richard Miller, City of Oneonta Mayor; David Bliss, Town of Middlefield Supervisor; Bob Taylor, Town of New Lisbon Supervisor; and Bill Elsey, Town of Springfield Supervisor. He pointed out that areas for discussion include insurance, real property evaluations, highway department consolidation, public transportation consolidation, emergency services consolidation, Board of Elections, recycling and tax collections. He stated that he will give the committee updates as they proceed.

MAGISTRATES ASSOCIATION – BRUCE MOSKOS, FRANK WOOD, TOM CARNEY, LUCY BERNIER

Mr. Moskos stated that many of the members have expressed concerns about dropping the Alternatives to Incarceration program. He discussed the possible use of electronic monitoring. He explained that often during arraignment a person will be sent to jail if they feel the person is a flight risk. He stated that they don’t make a habit of putting people in jail just for the sake of putting them in jail.

Ms. Bernier stated that she would have to check the statutes to see if electronic monitoring is allowable for arraignment purposes. She pointed out that release or bail may be their only options.

Mr. Devlin reviewed the population of the jail pointing out that only about two of the misdemeanors may be eligible for electronic monitoring and a large percentage of inmates are there due to drug related violations.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES – BRIAN POKORNY

Mr. Pokorny stated that he and his staff deal with all the departments and are often working with them to simplify outdated processes. He stated t hat they are currently looking into a call center for the Department of Social Services to eliminate some of the paperwork. He stated that they are also in the process of rewriting the AS400 system to make it more efficient though they are short on manpower to implement some of the changes.

Mr. Pokorny stated that they are typically involved in software purchases for individual departments and ask that they be consulted before purchasing equipment as well.

Mr. Pokorny explained that while document imaging could streamline many transactions it is unlikely that they will be completely paperless. He pointed out that it could provide monetary savings as well as reduce space requirements.

Mr. Pokorny stated that he will be approaching the Administration committee for approval to host the Town of Maryland website. He stated that this could provide savings to individual towns.

There being no further business to discuss, the committee adjourned until Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.