Compiled from County Press Releases
The Office of County Executive Steve McLaughlin has put out two press releases in the past week, the first detailing personnel savings, the second dealing with county purchases. According to the County Executive, Rensselaer County has realized nearly $1 million in personnel cost reductions during the first three quarters of the year, “by extending vacancies, leaving open positions unfilled or in some isolated cases, reducing jobs.” Mr. McLaughlin also stated “we have been focused on reasonably achieving a savings in all areas of county government by asking our departments to do more with less. This savings will help protect county taxpayers while also ensuring adequate funding for county services.”
As for purchases in the first nine months of 2018 are concerned…Mr. McLaughlin said over $600,000 in savings have been realized through a new process that includes expanded review of purchases, greater engagement with vendors, a wider competitive field for purchases, and participation in national cooperative contracts. Other savings were achieved by allowing purchases over the Internet and renegotiation of service contracts. The County Executive says “these changes come from a combination of common-sense approaches to purchasing and the use of new technology and practices to improve efficiency.”
Mr. McLaughlin will introduce the county’s 2019 proposed budget on Friday, his first since taking office at the beginning of the year.