County Government on the Road Informational Fair to be Held Next Week in Poughkeepsie
County Executive Molinaro to Present Countywide Shared Services Plan

Poughkeepsie… On Wednesday, October 11th, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro will host a “County Government on the Road” informational fair for County residents from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Locust Grove, located at 2683 South Road in Poughkeepsie. The fair will feature multiple county government departments providing information on county government services and programs.  Representatives will be on hand to answer questions on specific topics of interest.   Following the information fair, at 7:00 p.m., the County Executive will present the adopted Dutchess County Countywide Shared Services Tax Savings Plan and provide a preview of the 2018 Executive County Budget.

“Our first County Government on the Road informational fair held over the summer was very well attended and we are looking forward to providing another opportunity for residents to receive information about many of the services and programs available to them through county government. Residents will also be able to learn about our approved Shared Services Plan, our existing shared services initiatives, ask questions and provide feedback. I encourage all residents to join us on October 11th to learn how Dutchess County Government is working to serve you,” said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro.

More than a dozen Dutchess County departments and agencies will take part in the Information Fair from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., including:

Additionally, a representative from the Office of the New York State Comptroller will have a table at the event to provide assistance and information to residents on a variety of topics, including how to obtain unclaimed funds.

At 7:00 p.m., County Executive Molinaro will present the Dutchess County Countywide Shared Services Tax Savings Plan, adopted and approved by all 30 local municipalities. The plan, submitted to the New York State Division of Budget last month, features 37 projects that collectively can provide over $27 million in taxpayer savings in 2018 and 2019, if all projects are successfully implemented.  County Executive Molinaro convened several meetings of the Shared Service Panel, comprised of local city, town and village executives, as well as representatives from several school districts and BOCES, to develop a plan as mandated by a provision of the 2017-18 New York State Budget.  The plan features a broad spectrum of projects including shared salt and paving material purchasing, motor vehicle repair, website development and maintenance, shared court facilities and salt sheds, Drug Task Force efforts, municipal solar farms, consolidation of law enforcement, and much more. The projects range from two municipalities partnering together to county government-led projects with multiple local municipalities and school districts partnering in shared services efforts.  The plan also includes a regional project with Dutchess and Ulster counties partnering to expand their Conflict Defender Swap program into Family Court, projected to save nearly $70,000 over the two-year period. The approved plan is available on the County’s Countywide Shared Services Initiative webpage.