Erie County Comptroller Mark C. Poloncarz today joined New York State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo and other officials at the University of Buffalo Law School to discuss the Attorney General's proposal to give communities across the state the power to reform local governments. Poloncarz was the only Erie County government official who joined the Attorney General and spoke today.

Poloncarz stated, "I am honored to once again join Attorney General Cuomo in this reform initiative that can potentially save taxpayers tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars annually through the reduction of redundant taxing districts. Last year my office's study of local assessment in Erie County found local governments and the County could potentially save several million dollars annually, as well as eliminate needless duplication of services, by moving to a alternative model of assessment."

Comptroller Poloncarz generated state attention on local government efficiency following his office's March 2008 report on the costs of local assessment in Erie County (see http://www.erie.gov/comptroller/press/pr032508.asp). That report was ultimately cited by the Governor's Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness as an example to assist local governments in reducing expenses while increasing efficiency. The Poloncarz assessment report has also been cited by the New York State Office of Real Property Services and the Attorney General's Office as a mechanism to facilitate efficiency, eliminate redundancy and save taxpayers' money.

"In some ways, Erie County is the poster child for what's wrong with New York State. Erie County has over 750 special taxing districts, which is over 10% of all the special taxing districts in New York State. In Erie County, there are special districts for water, sewer, lighting and garbage districts, and even an "aquatic growth" district in one town. These special taxing districts are just another example of how an antiquated system developed for earlier times places additional burdens on taxpayers and puts our community at a competitive disadvantage to other, more economically vibrant areas," noted Poloncarz

The Comptroller concluded, "Elected leaders must look for ways to re-engineer and streamline government to make it more efficient and responsive to the taxpayers' needs. I was pleased to join the Attorney General in Albany in December 2008 when he announced this proposal and I fully support his efforts."