AUBURN - With more than 10,500 governing entities in the state, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says New York is in need of government consolidation, a process that residents will be able to initiate with greater ease this spring.

The New N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Law, supported by the attorney general, recommends the consolidation or dissolution of heavily subdivided governments that he says cause an unnecessary tax burden. The law calls on local residents to initiate government consolidation, a process of petitions and public votes designed to be user-friendly.

A representative of Cuomo's office told local business and community leaders that consolidation can improve government efficiency and save taxpayers money by streamlining service providers. And while the idea of consolidation is a valid one, community members said, Cayuga County may not be the place for it.

In Cayuga County, there are seven villages, eight sewer companies, 13 fire districts, 18 lighting providers, 21 water companies, 23 towns and dozens of other entities that add up to 60 town special districts and 114 town local governments, according to data collected by the attorney general's office.

“The question is: Is this the most efficient way to deliver government services?” said John B. Maggiore, a policy advisor for the attorney general, who spoke to a small group Wednesday at the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce.

Historically, governments were subdivided in order to provide services to rural areas in a time of slow communication and transportation. But with fewer rural areas, advanced transportation and lightning-speed communication, government can effectively - and often more efficiently - operate on a larger scale, Maggiore said.

Under the new law, residents would submit to the local government a petition signed by 10 percent of the community (20 percent in communities with fewer than 500 residents). A referendum would be held to vote on the idea of consolidation and, if approved, the government would begin to draft a plan.

The law does not give residents jurisdiction over school districts, cities or public authorities.

“It does not mandate. It does not incentivize. It simply empowers citizens,” Maggiore said.

The law will make the process easier for residents to jump start, but consolidation is by no means easy, Maggiore said, nor is it in the best interest of every community.

“Is it worth the effort?” is the question communities will have to ask themselves, he said.

In Cayuga County, some say the answer is no.

“I don't know of anyone who has been chomping at the bit, so to speak, to have this available to them,” said Andrew Fish, Executive Director of the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce.

Cayuga County is not operating as efficiently as it could, Fish said, but he believes there are other areas where consolidation is a more pressing need.

Next door, Onondaga County has the second-most government entities, with 867 town special districts and 941 town local governments.

Still, the need for consolidation in Cayuga County exists, said Lon Fricano, director of Auburn City Ambulance and TLC Emergency Medical Services.

“We have small townships with low populations and some very expensive equipment,” said Fricano, who gave the example of snow removal as an area that may benefit from consolidation.

But as a means of lowering taxes, consolidation is not the best solution and is likely not a priority for local residents said Fricano.

“Anyone who owns a home in Cayuga County would probably tell you their town and county taxes are not the problem,” Fricano said.

He suggested the state try to consolidate school districts or Medicaid providers, if they are really interested in cutting taxes. “Do you worry about your hangnail or your broken arm?”

Staff writer Sarah Gantz can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or sarah.gantz@lee.net