Mangano Announces Cost Saving Initiatives As A Result Of Partnership With Nassau County, Nassau BOCES & County School Districts

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano yesterday spoke to a crowd of 75 school and government officials about the significance of joining together to find ways to rein in spending.

“It’s one of the most important things my administration is doing to help taxpayers,” Mangano told the officials, gathered at the Nassau BOCES building in Westbury. “You may not agree with everything I say and do, but I think we’re all on the same page here – doing what we can to save taxpayer dollars.”

The County Executive’s remarks came during a public presentation by members of a purchasing consortium – the Nassau Schools and Municipal Savings Initiative – in which Nassau County partners with Nassau BOCES, and County school districts. The presentation focused on the accomplishments of the consortium thus far in initiatives that will save nearly $5 million through cooperative purchases for goods and services. It evolved into an exchange of ideas regarding significant cost-saving initiatives that could be pursued in the future.

Included in the $5 million figure is a savings of up to $4 million in natural gas costs for Nassau, through a deal the County entered into with an ESCO (Hess). BOCES has already piggybacked on that contract and expects to save between $60,000 and $70,000 a year co its natural gas costs. Several school districts have also expressed interest in buying off the contract.

Contracts and costs as a result of two of the group’s initiatives have become the state standard, replacing the already lowest price available. The consortium had been awarded a $1 million 21st Century Demonstration Shared Services Grant from New York State with the expectation that it become a model for cooperative efforts between municipal and education groups throughout the nation.

The savings that have so far been realized come through several areas. These include:

• lower pricing on out-of-district transportation for 28 school districts through regional bidding;
• savings on joint purchasing of essential goods by all participants; and
• lower costs for telecommunication services such as Internet, telephone and cellular services for grant partners.

A cooperative RFP to solicit internal audit services, required for all school districts. Other initiatives the group is exploring include other forms of energy, joint roof repairs and the purchase of office supplies, in bulk.

Mangano invited special districts, such as fire and water districts as well as officials from villages, cities and towns to last night’s presentation and to join the consortium. Several fire district commissioners attended as did representatives for Assemblywoman Michelle Schimmel, Assemblyman Mike Montessano and State Senator Carl Marcellino.

Anyone interested in joining the consortium, or for more information, can go to its website: http://www.nassausharedservicesgrant.org/