Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Interlocal Cooperation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee proposes interlocal cooperation entity to expand shared services
Summary
Members suggested creating a new interlocal cooperation entity to coordinate shared services (for example, joint purchases, shared water-plant operators, law enforcement and emergency dispatch) and said it could be designed to supplement existing agreements.
The Citizen Government Review Committee discussed a proposal to create an interlocal cooperation entity designed to help Topeka and neighboring jurisdictions share services and reduce costs.
Committee members noted many examples of interlocal cooperation across Kansas — joint purchasing of salt and sand, shared water-plant operators, mutual law-enforcement or emergency medical dispatch arrangements, and shared social services. Chair Kalk said an interlocal body could "take a look at them and see what kind of topics have been covered, what subjects have been covered, and how they address them," and could help tap existing work done in other jurisdictions.
The committee clarified it did not intend to replace existing interlocal agreements or councils; rather, the proposed entity would provide a focused forum for exploring additional opportunities and might be created anew if the council chose that path. Members agreed to refine the recommendation language and to add additional conferees who had commented about interlocal cooperation during the committee's outreach.
No formal action was taken; the committee will refine language and identify additional stakeholders and conferees for the final report.
