I wonder why there is still almost 500… What did they do before cell phones? I did hear a few soundbytes today from Collins speech and what I heard I liked. I especially like the idea of each department cutting their budgets 20%, that’s a start.

Last year there were a total of 758 cell phones used by departments under the purview of the County Executive. Today, that number stands at 487, marking a nearly 36% reduction.

Cell Phone Cut Back To Save $150K

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - Erie County Executive Chris Collins announced Tuesday that the number of county owned cell phones has dropped 36%, saving nearly $150,000 next year.

In a press release, Collins said, “Cell phone use is one example of abuse in government. It was important both economically and symbolically to get our hands around cell phone usage in the County and make cuts where appropriate.

A great amount of time and study went into these decisions, and cell phone cuts were made at all levels of the workforce including Commissioners and Department Heads. My office lead by example, eliminating 9 of the 11 phones assigned to our department.The annual savings of nearly $150,000 is just one example of my administration’s effort to reform county government and reduce costs where possible.”

Last year there were a total of 758 cell phones used by departments under the purview of the County Executive. Today, that number stands at 487, marking a nearly 36% reduction. Other key cuts include Department of Public Works (65 to 42), Health Department (164 to 109), and the Department of Information and Support Services (51 to 7). The number of BlackBerry devices that include both a voice and data plan dropped from 131 to 51