Local Government Academy Newly Elected Officials Course “Intergovernmental Relationships” Thursday, February 23, 2006 Michael Foreman Governor’s Center for Local Government Services Fax:

Local Government Academy What is Intergovernmental Cooperation? PA Constitution General Law Municipalities Authorities Act Municipalities Planning Code Local Tax Enabling Act Uniform Construction Code Municipal Codes

Local Government Academy Why Do It? Reduce duplication and overlap in service delivery and administration Reduce Fragmentation Save $$$ - Cost Sharing Improve Service – Bring greater resources to service delivery and admin New Service

Local Government Academy Why Do It? Necessity – Meet Local and Regional Need Preserve Local Autonomy Power in Numbers

Local Government Academy Who Can Do It? Two or more municipalities, plus school districts, municipal authorities, planning commissions, zoning hearing boards, UCC appeals boards, etc. County and its Municipalities State, County and Municipalities State and Municipalities

Local Government Academy When To Do It? Mutual Interest Common Concerns Community of Interest – Geographic Regional Focus Win-Win Outcome Issues NOT Personalities

Local Government Academy Where To Do It? Sharing of: Personnel Delivery of Services Administration Vehicles Equipment Facility

Local Government Academy Where To Do It? Sharing of: Professional Services Joint Bidding Infrastructure Pooling

Local Government Academy How To Do It? Informal Arrangement (Handshake) Formal Agreement – ordinance/resolution Council of Governments (COG’s) Service Delivery Associations Other Organizations (SPC, ALCOSAN, MAWC, Insurance Trust, etc.)

Local Government Academy How To Do It? Contract for Services Functional Consolidation of Services Establishment of Policy Board to oversee service delivery and administration

Local Government Academy Examples Cooperative Piggyback Purchasing Program Shared Public Works Program – Vehicles, Equipment, Facilities Shared Code Enforcement Officers Regional Police Departments Joint Competitive Bidding

Local Government Academy How To Get Started… Start with service/program/activity that is relatively non-controversial Establish policy board made up of representatives of participating municipalities to oversee administration and service delivery once enough interest exists (officers, bylaws, meetings, services, etc.)

Local Government Academy How To Get Started… Have regularly scheduled meetings to discuss proposed project to be undertaken; once implemented, continue to meet to monitor progress, troubleshoot, set policy, etc. Come to consensus on how to deal with personnel and administrative matters (wages, benefits, collective bargaining, etc.) Identify start-up costs, direct/indirect ongoing operating and capital costs relative to implementation over multi-year period.

Local Government Academy How To Get Started… Assure there is administrative capacity to manage and oversee implementation of intergovernmental cooperative program on regular basis (payroll, recordkeeping, day-to-day operations) Review and evaluate program/project to make improvements, changes and accommodations on regular basis

Local Government Academy Obstacles To Intergovernmental Cooperation Inability to reach consensus or agreement on how to undertake program or distribute costs among participants Clashing of Personalities Political Rivalries Parochial View Historical Animosities

Local Government Academy Obstacles To Intergovernmental Cooperation Lack of Interest or Resistance to Change Lack of Funds Perception of Loss of Local Control, or Autonomy of Service Provided Geographic Location

Local Government Academy What Do You Think? Opportunities Impediments Case Studies Greatest Need/Common Interest Political Considerations Fear of Giving up Authority Power in Numbers

Local Government Academy What Do You Think? Resistance Feasibility Cost Savings Cost Containment Essential Governmental Functions Proprietary Activity Collaboration/Sharing Policy-Making Body Representation