KENT, Ohio -- Kent State University’s Center for Public Administration and Public Policy has released eight case studies on intergovernmental collaborative efforts in northeast Ohio. The studies, which describe how local governments can realize significant cost savings, service improvements and other benefits, include an economic development study of information technology integration in Mahoning County.
Since late 2009, analysts at the center have been monitoring progress made on collaborative projects proposed by eight finalists in the Fund for Our Economic Future’s first EfficientGovNow grant competition. “The studies yield valuable findings regarding the sustainability and potential benefits of local government collaborations,” said John Hoornbeek, director of the Center for Public Administration and Public Policy at Kent State. “They also show, however, that successful efforts require work, energy and commitment on the part of those involved.”
Representatives from Kent State’s Center for Public Administration and Public Policy approached the grant finalists and eight of them agreed to cooperate in the development of case studies about their subsequent work.
Ed Jerse, director of regional collaboration for Cuyahoga County, said he has long felt the need for a “playbook” on local government collaboration, so he welcomed the news that Kent State was working on the project. “As I talked to area mayors, I heard that they wanted to collaborate but they didn’t always know how,” he said. “Kent State is developing a very valuable resource that will complement our efforts to support collaborations.”
The Mahoning County study focuses on cooperative efforts by six Mahoning County governments -- Youngstown, Canfield Village, Austintown, Boardman and Canfield townships and Mahoning County - to update IT systems and establish interconnectivity to improve services and save money through creation of the Mahoning Youngstown Regional Information System. Among the outcomes is an immediate cost savings of nearly $50,000 in disaster recovery services alone, according to Michael Sciortino, Mahoning County auditor.
By reviewing these individual case studies, local officials and other interested parties can gain an appreciation of the various ways in which communities can work together to advance their goals. “With the economy reducing revenues, the local government fund being cut by the state and the elimination of the estate tax, many of these communities are feeling the pinch financially and are looking for opportunities to find efficiencies,” Jerse noted. “You really have three choices: raise taxes, cut services or find efficiencies, so that certainly gives impetus to this movement.”
The studies, produced in cooperation with Kent State’s College of Public Health, are accessible online.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.