SHARED SERVICES PROGRAMS
The Shared Services Program is a cooperative effort among Middlesex County, Middlesex County Improvement Authority and the County's 25 municipalities. It supports the towns by providing a way to reduce daily operating expenses through cooperative purchasing.

The Shared Services Program has offered municipalities four ways to save tax dollars.



By pooling purchases – whether it be energy or road salt -- municipalities take advantage of the cost savings only bulk purchasing can provide.

Municipalities can participate in one or more programs – whatever best meets their unique needs.

What’s more, some purchases may qualify for financing under the Middlesex County Improvement Authority’s Capital Equipment Lease Program.

The program began in 1998, offering towns aggregate natural gas purchasing.  This initiative resulted in substantial savings for participating towns in 1999. In 1999, participating municipalities and the County achieved a 5% savings on electricity for public buildings.

Cooperative purchases of gas and electric continued in 2004 and 2005, and combined savings for both programs is projected at $123,600. The program brought together Middlesex County and its agencies, nineteen municipalities, housing authorities, and municipal utility authorities.

In 2006, the bid process resulted in a fixed price for natural gas purchases which was in effect June through November. A bid was also accepted for electricity for the larger accounts and the electricity is supplied by Hess. The projected savings for the one-year contract is $49,000.

Bids were solicited in May 2007 for a new electric contract to supply electric generation services for the larger electric account participants (hourly rate CIEP accounts). The approved contract with Constellation New Energy covers a one-year period that ended May 31, 2008.