Municipal Innovation Grant Program
Planning and Development
Eoin Wrafter, Commissioner
Dutchess County created the Municipal Consolidation & Shared Services Grant Program in 2013 to incentivize municipal projects that seek to consolidate services, produce shared services, eliminate an entire government entity, evaluate municipal consolidation opportunities and implementation possibilities, establish the regional delivery of services, and/or offer other efficiency improvements. The result must be a smaller, smarter government service or project that yields savings for taxpayers. While the emphasis remains primarily the same, in 2017, the grant program will award funding under its new name, the "Municipal Innovation Grant Program" with a focus on Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement, Land Use/Economic Development and General Innovation.
The program is voluntary with the intent to spur innovation and identify best practices developed by and for local government agencies. The overall goal is to support local government efforts to reduce the property tax levy within all jurisdictions.
In 2017, the County set aside $1 million to support local initiatives to increase cooperation and reduce redundancy at the municipal level. There are no minimum or maximum award limits and the County intends to fund multiple projects.
Focus for 2018
The four focus areas of the grant program are Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement, Land Use/Economic Development, General Innovation and ADA Improvements. All focus areas and subcategories are outlined below.
Priority will be given to projects that are multi-jurisdictional, leverage other funding sources, dissolve a layer of government and demonstrate savings to taxpayers, a reduction in the property tax levy or a significant increase in the municipal tax base, while providing an equal or better level of service. Additionally, projects that are consistent with previous assessments, studies or recommendations will be prioritized.
Eligible Entities
Each request must have one lead applicant, but municipalities are encouraged to coordinate their efforts. Activities that include other local government entities/taxing jurisdictions (e.g. fire districts, special districts, library districts, school districts, public authorities) will be considered.
Entities other than municipalities that will be the lead applicant must provide a letter of support from the chief elected official from all of the local municipalities (City, Town or Village) for which they provide services. *Please note, letters of support from the chief elected official must be submitted as a separate attachment to the application.
Eligible Activities
The County will consider applications from municipal entities in one of the following focus areas:
2018 Municipal Innovation Grant Program
Notes for Application Submission:
If you have any problems accessing the application materials, please contact the Planning Department at (845) 486-3600.
Timeline
April 9, 2018
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Application and Instructions Released.
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June 1, 2018
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Applications Due by 12 p.m. (Noon) via the grant portal, which will be open on or about May 4, 2018.
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June - July, 2018
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Application Review.
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July, 2018
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County Executive Announcement of Awards.
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August 1, 2018
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Project Year Start.
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Reference Materials
If awarded funding, your organization will need to submit the following on a quarterly bases:
Here are some helpful examples of supporting documents you will be asked to submit along with the quarterly forms listed above:
Municipal Innovation - Shared Services General Reports and Resources
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2017 Program
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2016 Program
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2015 Program
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2014 Program
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2013 Program