Local government collaboration is moving forward in Northeast Ohio, according to a report prepared by Kent State University’s Center for Public Administration and Public Policy. The report found that 64% of the local government officials responding to a recent survey are moving forward with the collaborations they proposed to the Fund for Our Economic Future’s EfficientGovNow awards program. Under the program, local governments in Northeast Ohio were encouraged to submit government collaboration and efficiency proposals to the Fund, which offered as much as $300,000 to as many as three projects.
The Fund announced the three winning collaboration proposals (from among 39 submitted) this past summer. In follow up, the Fund administered a survey in September to government officials who participated in EfficientGovNow. The survey was sent to a total of 216 local officials, and 56 of them responded to the survey—a response rate of just more than 25%.
Many of the respondents identified ways in which EfficientGovNow helped move collaborative efforts forward. Almost half (44%) of the responding officials indicated that EfficientGovNow helped clarify potential rewards from collaboration. Forty percent of the responding officials said EfficientGovNow helped foster an environment of collaboration to support intergovernmental projects, and others suggested that EfficientGovNow yielded other benefits such as encouraging the development of concrete proposals, getting local governments talking to one another, and moving discussions beyond past conflicts. In addition, several respondents indicated that their communities have already saved money, improved services and/or developed economically as a result of collaborative efforts.
This is not to say that all is rosy in Northeast Ohio. Communities continue to face significant challenges in efforts to save money, improve services and encourage economic development through collaborative endeavors. Finding seed funding and educating themselves on how best to proceed in implementing collaborations appear to be key challenges for officials seeking to re-invent public service delivery strategies.
The survey also indicated there is a potential educational role that the Fund could help fill. Government officials identified a need for a central repository of success stories, literature, case studies, model legislation and other resources to assist local governments in developing and implementing effective collaborative endeavors. They also noted the need for training assistance with collaborative strategies and administrative issues. Because many local government officials have limited or no experience in cooperative ventures, providing education on the “how” of collaboration is an area that is likely to foster progress in the months and years to come.
John Hoornbeek, Ph.D., Director
Kerry Macomber, MPA, Senior Research Associate
Center for Public Administration and Public Policy
Kent State University