Countywide summit targets areas where cooperation makes sense

EDITORIAL
It is a plight faced by governments at all levels in Michigan: Fewer funds and growing costs. To make resources stretch as far as possible, it seems clear that governments need to work together to eliminate duplication of services and find ways to cut costs as much as possible.

That was the purpose behind Wednesday's Calhoun County Summit on Intergovernmental Cooperation. More than 60 representatives of county, city, township and village governments gathered to consider ideas and discuss ways to make government more efficient.

We think they did a good job of zeroing in on eight areas that hold the greatest promise for cooperation and cost-sharing: geographic information systems; insurance; 911 emergency dispatch services; public safety planning; economic development; communications; technological advances; and public transportation. These areas have an impact on all types of governments, and it makes sense to look at how they can provide maximum benefits to all.

A countywide mapping database, for example, could be of enormous assistance in a wide variety of areas, such as economic planning, health services, transportation systems and many more.

Likewise, finding a way to cooperate with insurance costs - a major and growing expense for nearly all entities - could help to save much-needed dollars elsewhere.

Services such as public safety and emergency dispatch affect all residents, and we need to reach across governmental boundaries to ensure that they are provided at the least possible cost and in the most effective ways to everyone.

Strengthening services and maximizing resources will require trust and cooperation on the part of all involved. That is why we hope officials will recognize the enormous benefits of working together and strive to overcome their differences and find solutions to common problems.

We think Wednesday's summit was a good step toward that goal. Of course, as with all such discussions, there is danger that it will amount to little more than talk. But with the formation of eight groups to develop strategies for addressing the various areas of cooperation, the groundwork has been laid for future action.

There is a lot to be gained from the ideas brought up at the summit, but as Kate Segal, chairwoman of the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners, stated, it will require follow-through.

We all need to hold our elected officials accountable to doing just that.

Originally published April 27, 2007
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