Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano is actively promoting a county initiative aimed at saving municipalities and school districts costs in the material services they purchase.
Mangano endorsed the efforts of a county purchasing consortium – in which Nassau County partners with Nassau BOCES, and County school districts – in meeting at the Nassau BOCES meeting last week.
Officials representing the Nassau Schools and Municipal Savings Initiative made a presentation about initiatives that they said 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.
“It’s one of the most important things my administration is doing to help taxpayers. 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,” Mangano said.
Officials said 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 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 reportedly also expressed interest in buying off the contract.
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.
Officials from the consortium said it has also implemented savings in 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.
Other initiatives the group is exploring include other forms of energy, joint roof repairs and the purchase of office supplies, in bulk.
Several municipal officials and school district superintendents have expressed misgivings about the requirements the Nassau Schools and Municipal Savings Initiative has set for participating members. Officials have said that the consortium would restrict them from seeking lower prices through other purchasting consortiums.
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 state Assemblywoman Michelle Schimmel, state Assemblyman Mike Montessano and state Sen. Carl Marcellino.
Anyone interested in joining the consortium, or for more information, can go to its website: https://www.nassausharedservicesgrant.org/
Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204
