Joseph Doria, commissioner of the state Department of Community Affairs, delivered a check to the county administration complex Monday.
"This is the first step," said Doria, a former Democratic legislator. "Once you get going, you are eligible for share grants."
The grant actually is a $100,000 per year commitment good for three years.
The money will be used to hire someone to coordinate shared services efforts and provide funding for an office, county Freeholder Director Louis Magazzu said.
"Shared services" simply means agreements between governments to buy products and services or to operate programs and facilities. Cumberland already is involved in a number of such agreements.
Doria said Cumberland County will be the 15th county to hire a coordinator with state help.
"It's not just about saving money," Doria said. "It's about being more efficient. And, hopefully, the efficiency will bring more savings."
It was almost two years ago Magazzu said the county intended to go after such aid, which is based on a pledge from Gov. Jon S. Corzine to aid communities willing to pursue such agreements.
Magazzu said a request for proposal, or RFP, is being prepared to advertise the coordinator's position. A salary is not set for the full-time position.
Cumberland County originally was to apply jointly with Salem County. That idea was dropped because the resulting grant each county received would have been diminished.
Vineland Mayor Robert Romano and Millville Administrator Lew Thompson attended the meeting.
"We appreciate your work for Cumberland County and also Vineland, Millville and Bridgeton," Romano said. "I hope to work with you as my dad did."
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Joseph P. Smith
Quelle/Source: The Daily Journal, 12.08.2008
