Laberge Group was retained by the Town and Village of Rhinebeck, New York to study the feasibility of Court Consolidation and Shared Services opportunities.
Laberge Group’s Local Government Operations & Efficiency team will assess the municipalities’ current judicial courts and analyze the efficiencies that may be realized by potential consolidation. The study will also examine potential efficiencies that may be gained by sharing and/or consolidating facilities, equipment, judicial services, and/or employees. The municipalities received a Dutchess County Municipal Innovation Grant to conduct a Shared Court Consolidation Study to analyze current conditions and develop a plan to both optimize services and reduce costs.
Intensive Data-Gathering
In order to determine the feasibility and advisability of various restructuring opportunities, develop the optimal restructuring option, and facilitate the development of an effective and efficient transition plan, the study currently underway includes:
- Stakeholder engagement and coordination initiatives,
- One-on-one interviews with key personnel to gather information, glean insights into priority issues confronting the court, and gain an understanding of their views on the restructuring and the feasibility of consolidation,
- Fiscal analyses utilizing data from the Comptroller‘s Local Government Database, annual reports, and municipal budgets to determine the financial implications of various restructuring opportunities and the fiscal impact of each option on residents and property owners,
- Court operations review to gain an in-depth understanding of current operations, organization, caseload, mix of case type, the level of service demand, and the current level of service provided, and
- Court facilities assessment to determine condition, potential lifespan, capacity, and potential expansion needs.
The insights gleaned from this study will supply the necessary information to develop a thorough report that details projected outcomes of various restructuring options. The final report will also identify the solutions that will lead to the greatest opportunity for cost savings coupled with a continuation or increase in the quality and amount of service delivery. Additionally, any potential negative impacts of each restructuring alternative on service delivery will be identified and addressed.
Laberge Group’s Local Government Operations & Efficiency team has partnered with communities throughout New York State to develop innovative and effective solutions that streamline operations, increase efficiency, reduce duplicate layers of local government, and establish regional approaches to the provision of local government services. Our focus is on practical and implementable solutions that deliver both cost savings and effective service delivery to our client communities.
Learn more about the Local Government Operations & Efficiency Team HERE.
Considering a court consolidation or shared services initiative? To discuss how the Laberge Group’s Local Government Operations & Efficiency team can contribute to the success of your consolidation or shared services initiatives, call Ben Syden at (518) 458-7112 or contact us at clientservices@labergegroup.com to schedule a free conference call.