Collaboration in a New Environment Mandy Grewal, Commissioner District 7 David Behen, Deputy County Administrator

Mandy Grewal Commissioner 7th District (Pittsfield Twp) Elected August 2006 Educational Background: Ph.D. in Urban & Regional Planning; MA in Economics Work Background: Economist; Researcher; Academian; Legislative Lobbyist; Commissioner Passions: - Communication (process and information sharing) - Regionalism - Public safety (families and children) Why collaboration is important to me and the BOC?

Openness and Transparency It is important to us that Citizens… …understand the Value they get from Government …see Governments as Working together to improve service delivery

1Washtenaw A Model of Value in Government A Model of Collaboration Working Together to Enhance Access to Government Better Value Because of Collaboration Wise Use of Resources

1Washtenaw So Far Leveraging Infrastructure and Capacity Web Hosting and Support Accounts Professional Development Microsoft Suite Web Content Management Grant Writing Shared Purchasing Power Sharing Discounts Blanket Contracts

1Washtenaw So Far County Wide GIS System Data from All Partners Community Access via Web Enhanced Access to Local Unit Partners Shared Training and Support

1Washtenaw Future Board of Commissioners’ commitment to Regionalism/Collaboration

David Behen Deputy County Administrator CIO Director of Support Services Director of Information Technology Helped Initiate “Local Unit Outreach Program”

1Washtenaw Washtenaw County is committed to continuing the core 1Washtenaw partnership programs with current fee structure. And we can do more together…

Why is regionalism an issue? In the context of fiscal challenges do we prefer to: Cut Services Increase Taxes/Fees or Look for ways to share resources, increase capacity, improve service delivery and enhance decision-making. or

Why is regionalism an issue?

Future Partnerships “Crisis breeds opportunity” Enhancing customer service while at the same time reduce the cost of doing business Scale Efforts Appropriately (i.e. watershed planning)

Infrastructure Support Partnerships City of Ypsilanti City of Chelsea Police Fee-based partnerships Network and PC Support Sharing county expertise Experimental at this point: monitoring sustainability

City of Ann Arbor Opportunities Scale of Operations Proximity of Administrative Operations and all other departments Opportunities with Ann Arbor may extend to other local units

Regionalism Task Force One of four strategic directions department head groups formed in 2007 To establish better relationships with the local units of government which reflect coordinated efforts of partnership in identifying and meeting common goals at the county and regional level. Departments Heads currently – looking for external, broader participation

Regionalism and Relationship with Local Units Workplan Review and refine vision and goals Capture where we are to date Evaluate best practices and models Set a strategic direction to guide decision making Develop an action plan for next 3-5 years Monitor progress

Other Opportunities Where do we see the most opportunity? We welcome your participation… How can we work together to expand our partnerships? How can you best participate?