Title
Discussion of Regionalization/Partnerships in the Delivery of Services
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
None
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing concerning current regional partnerships and shared services.
Report
Issue:
The City's General Funding Operating Budget is not sustainable. In order to avoid additional cuts in programs and services, the City must consider all options to economize its work including regionalization and shared services.
Presenter(s):
Steve Hall, City Manager 360.753.8370
Background and Analysis:
Since 2009, the City has had to reduce public services and programs to ensure a balanced budget. The main problem is the structure of local government funding. Some sources of City revenue are fixed (property tax - 1% increase), volatile (sales tax), or declining (private utility tax).
However, on the expense side, costs continue to rise at a rate of 3-5% or more. Health care, retirement costs, fuel, etc. are not fixed.
To become sustainable, the City is focusing on six main areas of change. One of those is the consideration of additional shared services, or regionalization. Some areas for regionalization may save money, others may not. Tonight's discussion is about the list of current shared or regional services (Attachment 2), and the possibilities for more.