In an effort to help towns save money by joining forces, Monmouth County government officials are encouraging municipalities to share services.

Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone and Shared Services Coordinator Elizabeth Perez are attending municipal council meetings throughout the summer to discuss potential shared service agreements between Monmouth County and its municipalities.

“During my former experience as a mayor, I realized that smaller municipalities do not have the ability to provide the same level of service as the County to their residents,” Freeholder Director Arnone, liaison to Monmouth County Shared Services, said. “Through these shared service agreements, the County is able to offer cost relief for our towns and ultimately our taxpayers.”

Monmouth County’s Office of Shared Services works with towns, school boards, fire districts and authorities to provide 9-1-1 services, public works project assistance, public safety training, records management, commodity resale, cooperative purchasing, information technology and digital record management among other areas.

“In addition to our successful sharing of 9-1-1 and dispatch services, the County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering is certainly the biggest shared service that the County has to offer,” Elizabeth Perez, Shared Services Coordinator, said. “For example, some municipalities may not be able to house heavy equipment used for tree removal projects or road and bridge projects.”

Upon submitting a Shared Services request form, Monmouth County department supervisors will visit the location to assess the cost of work.

“I am proud to say that Monmouth County has developed one of the most successful shared service programs in the State,” Arnone said. “Through this initiative, we can help reduce the heavy tax burden on our residents while preserving the high quality of life here in Monmouth County.”

Since 2011, Monmouth County’s Shared Services have recorded cost savings and generated revenues with local partners that have passed the $15-million mark.

The County’s goal is to provide quality services and commodities to local public partners at a lower cost.

For more information about Monmouth County Shared Services, call Elizabeth Perez at 732-431-7460 extension 2115 or email Elizabeth.Perez@co.monmouth.nj.us.

To submit a Shared Services request form, go to www.VisitMonmouth.com.

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