The city of Auburn and surrounding towns will receive $45,000 from the state as they look into the possibility of a single water and sewer authority.

The office of state Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez announced Friday that the city and surrounding villages will receive the award for a study on service consolidation. The award was one of three government efficiency grants in the Finger Lakes Region and eight throughout the state that were announced.

The city of Auburn applied for the funds in December after officials from the towns of Fleming, Throop, Owasco, Aurelius, Sennett and the Cayuga County Water and Sewer Authority agreed to participate in a study.

Auburn city officials have said a single, consolidated water and sewer authority would make the system more efficient while making each party a stakeholder. Multiple town officials have said they are open to the idea of an authority. The city currently supplies water and sewer services to each government entity.

Christina Selvek, director of special projects and grants for the city, said the water and sewer consolidation study will examine the costs and benefits of a single authority and should be completed by the end of the year. The city and villages will contribute a total of $5,000 to the study.

If the study determines that is the best course of action and all parties are on board, the city will seek another state grant to assist in implementing a new system, she said.

For details and reaction, see Saturday's edition of The Citizen.