In this economy, Michigan residents and community leaders want local schools and governments to work harder and smarter than ever. The Center for Michigan has heard that sentiment over and over in dozens of Community Conversations. In fact, “Government Collaboration & Service Sharing” is one of the nine critical strategies those meeting participants have told us are essential for Michigan’s economic transformation.
Local elected leaders are feeling that mounting pressure around their school board and city council tables. But there’s a lot of stormy sea between plotting the course and reaching the destination. Consider these three recent examples…
In Oakland County, a much-talked-about-but-not-yet-public $58,000 study reportedly reinforces the idea of consolidating Farmington and Farmington Hills into one municipal body. Farmington officials have previously denounced the idea, but are moving toward a compromise position of intensified service sharing.
In Battle Creek, local officials blame decisions in Lansing for huge hurdles to consolidating public safety dispatch operations.
And in Washtenaw County, almost a dozen school districts are considering whether to form employee benefits pools as allowed under so-called budget reforms passed in Lansing last fall. The districts have already moved to consolidate arrangements for such services as bus parts and substitute teaching. But benefits reform is much tougher.
One Comment
John,
Thanks for keeping us informed on this critical reform issue.
I hope that local newspapers and news programming will pick these issues up and report them thoroughly. Our public servants have been serving themselves for far too long.