N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 9 § 5.121

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 25, June 18, 2024
Section 5.121 - Executive order no. 121: establishing the task force on local government reform

WHEREAS, local governments play a vital role in the delivery of essential governmental services;

WHEREAS, in most regions of the State, there are at least two, and in many cases three, levels of local government supported by taxpayers;

WHEREAS, all levels of government have an obligation to ensure that governmental services are delivered in the most effective and efficient manner possible; and

WHEREAS, an increasing number of local government officials are interested in exploring innovative new ideas for regional government.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE E. PATAKI, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, do hereby order as follows:

I. Task Force on Local Government Reform

There is hereby established the Task Force on Local Government Reform to be comprised of a minimum of fifteen members. The members shall be appointed by the Governor and shall be broadly representative of the geographic areas of the State, excluding the City of New York. Not less than ten of the members shall be elected local-government officials. In addition to the members appointed by the Governor, the Presidents of the New York State Association of Counties, the Association of Towns of the State of New York and the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials, or their designees, shall serve as members and the Secretary of State, the Director of the Budget, the Executive Director of the Office of Real Property Services, or their designees, shall serve ex officio. The Governor shall designate two individuals to serve as co-chairs from among the members. The members of the Task Force shall receive no compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for any actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

II. Responsibilities of the Commission
(A) The Task Force shall review and evaluate an inventory of possible local government reforms, to be prepared by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government, and develop innovative new reforms aimed at making government more effective and efficient at the village, town, city and county levels.
(B) The Task Force shall solicit comment from the public, including local government officials, the business community, labor organizations, environmental and civic associations, professional and trade associations, regional organizations, educators and other interested persons and entities.
(C) The Task Force shall propose recommendations to make government more efficient at the village, town, city and county levels. In developing its recommendations, the Task Force shall consider such factors as: regional planning; transportation and energy needs; economic development; environmental and open space protection; historic preservation; farmland protection; education; affordable housing; and the public health and safety.
III. Report

The Task Force shall prepare and deliver a written report to the Governor detailing its findings and recommendations by August 1, 2003.

IV. Assistance and Cooperation

Every agency and department over which the Governor has executive authority, and all public benefit corporations and public authorities the heads of which are appointed by the Governor, shall provide all reasonable assistance and cooperation requested by the Co-Chairs for the purpose of carrying out this order. Such assistance may include the assignment of staff and the provision of support services. Particularly, the Task Force may seek to utilize the resources of the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government, which serves as the public policy research arm of the State University of New York, and of the Department of State, Division of Local Government.

V. Dissolution

The Task Force shall dissolve 90 days after delivery of its report to the Governor.

Signed: George E. PatakiDated: July 8, 2002

WHEREAS, local governments play a vital role in the delivery of essential governmental services;

WHEREAS, in most regions of the; State, there are at least two, and in many cases; three levels; of local government supported by taxpayers;

WHEREAS, all levels of government have an obligation to ensure that governmental services are delivered in the most effective and efficient manner possible; and

WHEREAS, an increasing number of local government officials are interested in exploring innovative new ideas for regional government.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE E. PATAKI, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, do hereby order as follows:

I. Task Force on Local Government Reform

There is hereby established the Task Force on Local Government Reform to be comprised of a minimum of fifteen members. The members shall be appointed by the Governor and shall be broadly representative of the geographic areas of the State, excluding the City of New York. Not less than ten of the members shall be elected local government officials. In addition to the members appointed by the Governor, the Presidents of the New York State Association of Counties, the Association of Towns of the State of New York and the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials, or their designees, shall serve as voting, ex officio members and the Secretary of State, the Director of the Budget, and the Executive Director of the Office of Real Property Services, or their designees, shall serve as non-voting, ex officio members. The Governor shall designate two individuals to serve as co-chairs from among the members. The members of the Task Force shall receive no compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for any actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

II. Responsibilities of the Task Force
(A) The Task Force shall review and evaluate an inventory of possible local government reforms, to be prepared by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government, and develop innovative new reforms aimed at making government more effective and efficient at the village, town, city and county levels.
(B) The Task Force shall solicit comment from the public, including local government officials, the business community, labor organizations, environmental and civic associations, professional and trade associations, regional organizations, educators and other interested persons and entities.
(C) The Task Force shall propose recommendations to make government more efficient at the village, town, city and county levels. In developing its recommendations, the Task Force shall consider such factors as: regional planning; transportation and energy needs; economic development; environmental and open space protection; historic preservation; farmland protection; education; affordable housing; and the public health and safety.
III. Report

The Task Force shall prepare and deliver a written report to the Governor detailing its findings and recommendations by August 1, 2003.

IV. Assistance and Cooperation

Every agency and department over which the Governor has executive authority, and all public benefit corporations and public authorities the heads of which are appointed by the Governor, shall provide all reasonable assistance and cooperation requested by the Co-Chairs for the purpose of carrying out this order. Such assistance may include the assignment of staff and the provision of support services. Particularly, the Task Force may seek to utilize the resources of the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government, which serves as the public policy research arm of the State University of New York, and of the Department of State, Division of Local Government.

V. Dissolution

The Task Force shall dissolve 90 days after delivery of its report to the Governor.

Signed: George E. PatakiDated: July 9, 2002

[FN*] [Revoked by Executive Order No. 5 (Eliot Spitzer), infra.]

[Revoked by Executive Order No. 9 (David A. Paterson), infra.]

[Revoked by Executive Order No. 2 (Andrew M. Cuomo), infra.]

[FN*] [Revoked by Executive Order No. 5 (Eliot Spitzer), infra.]

[Revoked by Executive Order No. 9 (David A. Paterson), infra.]

[Revoked by Executive Order No. 2 (Andrew M. Cuomo), infra.]

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 § 5.121