Laserfiche WebLink
In-Depth Policy Analysis <br /> <br />Cities across Minnesota cooperating to provide services <br /> <br />Rachel Walker <br /> <br />To read a full analysis of the League's information on cooperative agreements, visit the Policy <br /> <br />www. bnnc. org. <br /> <br />Cooperation between local govern- <br />ments to deliver services is increasingly <br />in the spotlight as officials ponder <br />solutions to the state budget deficit. <br />The idea, however, is not a new one, <br />and it is one that cities around the <br />state have been putting into practice <br />for decades through service contracts, <br />mutual aid agreements, and joint <br />powers entities. <br /> The League is currently working <br />on an in-depth analysis of cooperative <br />agreements using several sources of <br />this information. It is important to <br />point out, however, that there are <br />likely thousands of cooperative agree- <br />merits in effect throughout Minnesota <br />and the League's information reflects <br />only a small portion. The purpose of <br />the analysis is to estimate the degree <br />to which cities across the state are <br />cooperating to provide services, and <br />to identify the kinds of services most <br />often delivered in cooperative arrange- <br />ments. The analysis will also include a <br />brief discussion of some of the <br />barriers to cooperation. <br /> <br /> In 1992, the League of Minnesota <br />Cities surveyed cities about cooperative <br />agreements. More than one-third of <br />the member cities (294) responded <br />with information on over 1,800 <br />agreements. In 1999, the Advisory <br />Council on Local Governments <br />surveyed cities in the seven-county <br />metropolitan area. Of the 111 cities <br />responding, 97 cities reported service <br />contracts with other local units and/ <br />or joint provision of services. The <br />North Metro Mayors' Association is <br />currently working on a project to <br />identify cooperative efforts by its <br />constituent cities. <br /> The League recently informally <br />reviewed joint powers agreements for <br />which the League's Insurance Trust <br />(LMCIT) has information, and has <br />also been requesting information from <br />member cities over the last several <br />weeks about current cooperative <br />agreements. The League now has <br />information on more than 400 coop- <br />erafive agreements between cities and <br />other local units. The League has <br /> <br />Research section of the LMC web site at: <br /> <br />posted online information that was <br />assembled last summer as part of a <br />resource packet pertaining to public <br />safety joint powers agreements; to <br />access, visit the LMCIT section of the <br />LMC web site at: www. lmnc.org. <br />In addition, the topic will be further <br />discussed at the 2003 LMCIT Safety <br />& Loss Control Workshops scheduled <br />to be held across the state this Spring; <br />to register, visit the Conference section <br />of the LMC web site at: www. lmnc. <br />org. <br /> Police and fire services make up <br />a large portion of these agreements, <br />with over 50 agreements each. Parks <br />and recreation services also compose a <br />large group, with over 70 agreements <br />for projects such as hockey arenas, <br />swimming pools, and community <br />recreation centers. There are more <br />than 40 general government/adminis- <br />tration agreements, covering purchas- <br />ing, planning, and building inspections. <br />Finally, there are over 30 sanitation <br />agreements, which include sewer <br />services and water treatment facilities. ~- <br /> <br />/ ' isit the League <br /> on the Web: <br /> www. lmnc.org <br /> <br />for all the latest information about how your city <br />can participate and benefit from LMC and LMCIT <br />services, resources, and training opportunities. <br /> <br />March 5, 2003 Page 11 <br /> <br /> <br />