What is GRI?
Government Reduction Initiative (GRI) was launched by Chautauqua County in 2017 to help advance town and village government efficiencies. In 2025, the County’s GRI was reactivated to make the use of funds more flexible, increase the award ceiling, and to include initiatives among cities, towns, villages, fire districts, school districts, sewer districts, and water districts.
“The County Government Reduction Initiative (GRI) gives our local governments, special districts and school districts the ability to take on meaningful efficiency projects without the burden of upfront costs. By providing this support, we’re helping communities explore consolidations, mergers, shared services, and other innovative collaborations that reduce redundancies and deliver real, long-term savings for taxpayers. This initiative not only complements the State’s Local Government Efficiency Program — it positions our municipalities to maximize every available funding opportunity and build a more sustainable future for Chautauqua County.”
- Chautauqua County Executive Paul M. Wendel, Jr.
New York State Local Government Efficiency Program:
New York State facilitates the Local Government Efficiency (LGe) Program through the Department of State. This program provides technical assistance and grants for intermunicipal projects targeting shared opportunities, cost savings, and delivery of efficient, quality services. The actions this program support include merging, reorganizing, or sharing municipal functions with local government partners or at a regional level, and consolidation or dissolution of municipal structures. Additional information: https://dos.ny.gov/local-government-efficiency
Successful Examples:
(Funded from a variety of sources)
- Formation of the North Chautauqua County Water District (2016)
- Dissolution of the Village of Cherry Creek into the Town of Cherry Creek (2017)
- Consolidated court system in the towns of Mina, Clymer, French Creek, and Sherman (2021)
- Consolidation of Dewittville, Hartfield, and Mayville Fire Departments into the North Lake Fire District (2024)
💰Funding:
Chautauqua County may provide funding up to $100,000 to any eligible applicant considering, planning, or implementing:
- Dissolution, consolidation, or merger
- Consolidation of public services or facilities
- Intermunicipal consolidations aimed at improving delivery of services
*The County may require the eligible applicant to match a portion of the funds to be received.
*Priority may be given to projects that will result in a reduction of total real property taxes.
📋Applicants:
Eligible Applicants include:
- Cities
- Towns
- Villages
- Fire Districts
- School Districts
- Sewer Districts
- Water Districts
Interested applicants should complete a GRI funding request (see download link below).
Government Reduction Initiative Request Form
How to Apply:
Please email a completed GRI request form, along with the requested supporting attachment(s), to the County Executive’s Office at:
Requests will be reviewed by the County Executive and County representatives to discuss their ideas, goals, and potential plans. A County staff member will reach out to the lead applicant with any questions, concerns, and/or next steps.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Is the GRI retroactive/can the funding be used for costs already incurred by the lead applicant prior to legislative approval?
- No
- No
- Can the GRI funds be used to study/analyze what can be shared and how to do it between two or more governmental entities?
- Project dependent. Applicant needs to describe how the project will lead to greater efficiencies, improved service delivery, and estimate in specific terms the potential one-time and/or reoccurring savings that this project, if fully implemented, could result in.
- Project dependent. Applicant needs to describe how the project will lead to greater efficiencies, improved service delivery, and estimate in specific terms the potential one-time and/or reoccurring savings that this project, if fully implemented, could result in.
- Can it be matched with other grant funds?
- Yes, but GRI funding cannot result in an applicant receiving funding in excess of the total cost of the funded project.
- Applicants that demonstrate leverage will be given higher priority.
- Yes, but GRI funding cannot result in an applicant receiving funding in excess of the total cost of the funded project.
Approval:
Requests will be reviewed by the County Executive on an ongoing basis. Strong requests will be advanced for review and approval by the Chautauqua County Legislature. Applicants will be required to present their project to the County Legislature for final approval and appropriation of funds. If approved by the Legislature, the applicant will enter into a contract with Chautauqua County to implement the project.
📄 Download our GRI Fact Sheet for a quick overview of funding, eligibility, and success stories.
*County GRI funding shall not result in an applicant receiving funding in excess of the total cost of the funded project. Any payment awarded by the County may be reduced to an amount no greater than the difference between the cost of the project and the total amount of local, state, and/or federal grant funding.
