COLTS NECK – Monmouth County recently signed a unique agreement that will allow for the first ever shared services agreement in the state of New Jersey between a county government and a military entity.
On May 23, at the Naval Weapons Station Earle (NWS Earle), some Monmouth County Freeholders attended the signing of the Intergovernmental Support Agreement that would allow for the county to provide shared services to NWS Earle, such as traffic signal maintenance, unimproved road maintenance, snow and ice control, and storm drainage repairs among others.
“This creative partnership with NWS Earle builds on our great success in providing shared services to other entities, reducing duplication of services and the burden on taxpayers,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the County’s shared services program. “Monmouth County has the resources to benefit municipalities in both maintenance and construction services along with responding to emergencies.”
This agreement is also a first within the US Navy, according to Monmouth County officials. “The Agreement follows the passage of A2514, legislation that permits local units of government to enter into shared services agreements with federal military installations located in the state,” it stated in a press release.
This project is the newest addition to shared services agreements that the county already has in place with other government entities, school districts and emergency service departments.
Shared services allow the local government to reduce expenses and save the taxpayers more money. According to officials, Monmouth County’s “fee-based business model” allows them to share services with other partners at a lower cost, enabling participants to lower capital and operating costs.
“The mission of Naval Weapons Station Earle is such an important part of our nation’s safety and security and the County is proud to partner and support NWS Earle,” said Deputy Director Lillian Burry, also present at the signing.
NWS Earle thanked Arnone, Burry, and the Monmouth County staff for helping to make this agreement a reality.
“By signing this agreement today, we are providing the U.S. Navy access to the unique capabilities and expertise available from the County,” said Commanding Officer, Captain Pierre A. Fuller.
Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger remarked in a Facebook post: “The historic signing of a shared services agreement between Naval Weapons Station Earle and Monmouth County should make every taxpayer proud of the leadership in their County. This is a prime example of how government should work – two branches coming together to devise a way to expand services and save taxpayer dollars.”
“Through our shared services initiatives, municipalities, authorities, commissions, public schools, institutions of higher education and local emergency services departments have reduced costs and increased efficiencies, while continuing to deliver a high quality of services to residents,” said Director Arnone.
