DiNapoli (podium): "Ulster is a laboratory"

KINGSTON – A statewide effort to encourage shared services for highway maintenance was launched in Kingston on Wednesday when State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Ulster County Executive Michael Hein met to discuss Ulster County’s success with the program.

DiNapoli said Hein is a trailblazer for the entire state.

“Ulster is a laboratory, and a role model, for how shared services can be done effectively, and in a seamless way, and in a way that really saves money for taxpayers at a time when we are all concerned about that,” DiNapolisaid.

Hein detailing how millions of dollars can be saved through cooperation between different levels of local government.

He said the money saved by the county through shared services with its municipalities can be used for other important items such as human services.

“The money that we save in doing shared services allows us to be able to take care of these non-mandated but absolutely essential services,” Hein said. “That is the face of what shared services is really all about.”

Hein added that Ulster County saved $2.3 million dollars through shared services.

The comptroller’s office estimates there are between 1,000 and 1,500 highway departments statewide that construct, maintain, and repair roadways.

Some 187,000 miles of road cost nearly $2.6 billion to maintain in 2009, noted the comptroller’s report released Wednesday. Nearly 80 percent of highway spending occurs at the town and county levels. “This is a very significant expenditure,” DiNapoli indicated. “Even more attention needs to be focused on finding opportunities of spending taxpayer money in the wisest way.”

DiNapoli estimates between $40 million and $90 million can be saved statewide, if other communities take Ulster County’s lead.