Collaboration

Intergovernmental collaboration

Responsible use of tax dollars is a top priority. Macomb County and its 27 municipalities provide essential services to the public. Coordinating and consolidating services can be a great way to reduce overhead costs while still providing the high quality levels of service that residents in Macomb have come to expect.

Policy statement

Declining tax revenues and a decrease in revenue‐sharing from the state have created a powerful one‐two punch that severely impacted county and local government budgets. During these difficult financial times, Macomb County has demonstrated sound fiscal leadership through responsible and efficient budgeting and intergovernmental collaboration.

Intergovernmental collaboration is a key component to budgetary health. At a time when many other local units of government have resorted to depleting their general funds or implementing drastic cuts in services, Macomb County has been able to maintain services without negatively impacting the public or the balance sheet. Service sharing resulted in the County saving roughly $14 million in 2011 through collaboration agreements. This number is expected to grow by 20% as existing collaborations mature. In Macomb, shared services account for approximately 5% of county government spending.

Macomb County is taking a proactive role in searching out new opportunities for collaboration. Its County Emergency Management Operations Center will serve numerous communities in Macomb County and result in a cost savings for both the County and the local units of government that will utilize the new facility. Macomb is not only taking an active role in creating these new partnerships but also recognizing our local communities who work with each other to come up with new and creative ways to provide service. Each year the County hosts an awards ceremony honoring local communities and celebrating their accomplishments.

With the financial forecast for governmental bodies a concern for many local units of government, Macomb County must build on its success and continue to utilize resources available that promote new ways to provide more efficient and cost effective services as well as collaborate with other bodies of government.

Taking action

• Increase collaboration between horizontal and vertical levels of government, utilizing the benefits of economies of scale
• Support legislation that provides framework for governments to continue to be collaborative in their actions such as the Economic Vitality Incentive Program
• Continue to find new ways to reduce overhead costs and utilize tax dollars in providing services, rather than administrating them
• Maintain open dialogue with partners to share best practices