In Focus explores government spending here in Upstate New York — and, how some leaders in Upstate New York are getting creative to make that spending more effective and efficient. Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente joins the show to speak with JoDee Kenney about an incentive program that he’s created to encourage consolidation among the county’s municipal governments. The county is promising to match the first-year savings of any municipal government that comes up with plans to consolidate services. Even with that promise, the county executive says more consolidation will save more money in the long run. Picente says he hopes the move may inspire other leaders across the state to create similar incentives for municipalities to create more effective ways of saving and spending. 

To hear more about Oneida County’s consolidation challenge, watch the full interview with county executive Anthony Picente in the video player above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting Upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.