Addressing a packed house at Fort Johnson Village Hall last week, Laberge Group Government Operations & Efficiency experts Ben Syden, AICP and Kathleen Rooney explained the process of a Board-initiated Village Dissolution as well as the development of a Proposed Dissolution Plan currently underway.

The Village initiated a thorough study of dissolution and the preparation of a Proposed Dissolution Plan that will provide Village residents with information to assist in their decision making process prior to any potential referendum on dissolution. The Plan will provide an evaluation of proposed post dissolution conditions, including a review of the impact of dissolution on governance and representation, service delivery, potential operational cost savings, and potential savings for Village property taxpayers.

During the meeting, both Syden and Rooney presented the process for the development of a dissolution plan, as well as some early findings regarding the potential impacts that dissolving the Village government can be expected to have on Fort Johnson residents. The information that Laberge Group is gathering will inform an analysis of the impacts of dissolution on governance, services, and financial resources. They will also support a plan to transition operations to the town of Amsterdam should residents vote for dissolution during a referendum that may be held later this year.

Throughout the Board-initiated dissolution process, residents will have the opportunity to provide input and ask questions. The Village and Laberge Group have created a website dedicated to the development of the Dissolution Plan, which provides a venue for submitting questions online. It can be accessed at www.labergegroup.com/fortjohnson.

Many thanks to all those who have taken the time to participate in this important process, whether by attending the public information meeting or engaging online.