Local governments try to cut costs via efficiency

Around the country, governments big and small are embracing cooperation, consolidation and efficiency to wring a few more dollars out of the budget as the effects of the Great Recession linger.

"What we're seeing is that many places are really taking a look at doing more with less," said Steve Hamill, a former administrator in Alameda County, Calif., and founder of the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, which helps municipalities learn of money-saving opportunities.

During the worst of the downturn, many local governments resorted to layoffs and other blunt means of cutting spending. Now, with the economy still shaky, they are looking in less obvious places for ways to save money.

Earlier this year, Long Island's two counties and several townships announced anticipated savings of more than $1 million annually by joining forces to buy such things as medical supplies for ambulances and chemicals for wastewater treatment and swimming pools.

"Joint purchasing is an example of where we can do more with less by finding efficiency," Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said.

In neighboring Nassau County, officials are in the midst of a review of unused telephones and telephone lines in the wake of large staff cutbacks. The county comptroller's office estimates as many as 3,000 phone lines could be disconnected by the end of the year, saving more than $535,000.

Idaho's Coeur d'Alene School District set up a system to turn off all computer monitors after five minutes of inactivity. Computers are put in standby mode after 90 minutes. The district expects to save $300,000 over three years, Hamill said.

An effort in Los Angeles County that includes disconnecting unused phones and buying efficient light bulbs is expected to cut costs by about $218 million annually.

Last year, three cities in San Diego County — El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove — struck an agreement to combine their firefighting, emergency medical treatment and emergency planning services. They expect to save a combined $560,000 annually. Fire response times haven't suffered, according to Heartland Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Mike Scott.