In April of 2014, the Prospect Village Board passed a resolution to pursue a dissolution study for the Village of Prospect. The resolution came in the wake of two workers compensation claims that ensured a relatively large increase to the Village’s insurance premiums through 2051, a result of the Village’s participation in the Oneida County Self Insurance Plan for Workers Compensation. The Village pursued a NYS Local Government Efficiency Grant to develop a comprehensive plan to include alternatives along the governance continuum up to dissolution. Funding for the study will be matched by Oneida County, should the Village decide to dissolve in a referendum scheduled for March, 2015.
CGR was selected in July, 2014 to conduct a dissolution study that will inform the Steering Committee and residents of the feasibility and impact of dissolution, as well as offer alternatives to dissolution. CGR is based in Rochester, NY and has provided similar work for dozens of communities across the Northeast. The current study will examine the services provided by the Village, and will address service continuity, fiscal impacts, and non-fiscal impacts of viable alternatives to current operations, including dissolution. Throughout the process, CGR and the Steering Committee will solicit feedback from residents via a study website and multiple public meetings.
The Village of Prospect has a total land mass of about 0.2 square miles, home to approximately 291 people (2010 Census). The Village is located in the northeast corner of the Town of Trenton, which covers nearly 44 square miles and is home to almost 4,500 residents (including Village of Prospect residents). On average, the Village spent about $190,000 on expenditures in 2010- 2014. Services to village residents included water service, lighting, highway services, building code and zoning administration, and general governmental support.