Various local governments are featured on a new state website that touts the savings made possible through collaboration.
Beyond Boundaries, a Shared Services Action Plan opens with a video showing how the city of Green saves millions by operating a common building with the school system, letting the Summit County sheriff handle police work, combining the health department with Summit County and partnering with the county for health insurance coverage.
The video, at http://beyondboundaries.Ohio.gov, shows Mayor Dick Norton estimating that the various collaborations save the city $2.85 million a year.
Summit County, Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Silver Lake and Tallmadge are cited for forming a consolidated building department. The county estimates combining building permit and inspection services in 25 communities saves nearly $1.2 million.
Also noted on the site are the health district formed by Akron, Barberton and the county; Medina County Educational Service Center’s nursing program; Medina and Brunswick schools’ collaboration on hiring substitute teachers; and The Sourcing Office, which allows many local governments to save when purchasing supplies.
The site also includes a spreadsheet with results of a state survey of where collaboration is happening throughout the state.
State Controlling Board President Randy Cole said details about how to accomplish savings are available at Auditor Dave Yost’s website, www.SkinnyOhio.org.
Cole spent much of Thursday meeting with school officials to outline the savings examples and to hear their suggestions for further reform.
“We just think that we have started a process that shouldn’t end,” Cole said.
Dave Scott can be reached at 330-996-3577 or davescott@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Scott on Twitter @davescottofakro.
