Welcome to the Efficient GovNetwork
The Efficient Government Network is a group of Northeast Ohio stakeholders, primarily from political subdivisions (aka cities, counties, school boards etc.) who convene, connect and share ideas and best practices for local government collaboration.
Created in the fall of 2010, the Network grew out of the EfficientGovNow contest (supported by the Fund for Our Economic Future and Advance Northeast Ohio). This competition gave birth to innovative ideas - and action - that targeted collaboration and efficiency. Now, the Network’s mission is to continue the momentum in the region and hopefully beyond.
The Network’s goals? To educate and encourage more leaders to join those who have already taken the plunge (and the risk, which there is) and support these folks to take action (and yes, risk) (which these experience is showing can pay off in planned and unplanned but welcome ways).
So what’s all this about Collaboration?
No one definition or method for collaboration can sum up what it is and how you do it. But what we know is that it can be an unique problem solving tool in an era of diminishing resources and increasing demands on local government.
Why bother? Because we said so! (just kidding) Because of these reasons and many others that explain why it’s the rage and not just here. Engagement with the Network can lead to:
- Cost savings
- Improved service delivery
- Simplicity in government
- Regional prosperity
- Shared data collection
- Building on successes
- Setting standards for best practices
Maybe you’ve already been involved in government collaboration and you haven’t even called it that, but you should and you could do more. The Network can get you started!
Who Is Behind This
The Efficient Gov Network is a collaboration among local government officials, employees and those generally interested in a more collaborative and efficient local government structure in Northeast Ohio. The Network is supported by The Fund for Our Economic Future and Advanced Northeast Ohio.
The intention of the EfficientGovNetwork engagement project is to engage elected officials, community/government relations professionals and citizens throughout Northeast Ohio on local government collaboration and efficiency efforts, opportunities and challenges.
FAQ
Got more questions about this project? Check out some answers and let us know if you don't see an answer to your question.
Sponsors
It's your Civic Commons, so you get to start the conversation you think is important.
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In the 2012-2013 biennial budget, $45 million was authorized to the Local Government Innovation Fund. View here.
LGIF Round Three Grants Announced
The grant recipients for Round 3 of the Local Government Innovation Fund program have been announced. View here.
Cost Savings for Schools and Local Governments
On June 14, 2012 the Governor released a shared services report to serve as a roadmap to cost savings for schools and local governments. See the report here.
More materials about LGIF here.
EGN RSS Government Collaboration In the News
Revere school board supports exploring Revere Recreation Center - Bath
http://bath.ohio.com
BATH TWP.:The Revere Board of Education approved a resolution June 26 to support the exploration of a Revere Community Recreation Center. The vote was 4-1, with board member George Seifert casting the lone no vote. A group of organizations and citizens within the footprint of the school district is looking into the possibility of building a community recreation center.
Vindy.com - Study to be sought for merger of departments
http://www.vindy.com
By William K. Alcorn alcorn@vindy.com YOUNGSTOWN The possible merger of the Youngstown and Mahoning County health departments has gotten to the money-commitment stage. The city, which supports its health department with general-fund revenue, will pay up to half the cost of a $5,000 short-term study on the merger, said Mayor Charles Sammarone.
What to do with Ohio's extra cash? editorial
http://www.cleveland.com
Yet some budget adjustments are merited. Given that state cuts in this biennium were especially deep for local schools and governments, the state should channel a good chunk of its extra revenue into funds geared to helping big-city school districts and local governments that innovate, The Plain Dealer editorial board writes.
Vindy.com - New website to help NE Ohio communities
http://www.vindy.com
By DAVID SKOLNICK skolnick@vindy.com YOUNGSTOWN A Northeast Ohio consortium has created a website that, its officials say, is designed to help the area's residents and elected officials better understand the region's challenges and research solutions for its future. The Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium unveiled the site - cat.neoscc.org - at its Tuesday board meeting at the Covelli Centre.
Muskegon chamber re-enters the municipal water debate with new consultant's study
http://www.mlive.com
MUSKEGON, MI - The Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce is wading back into the Muskegon-area municipal water services issue. Little positive movement in the discussions of water consolidation in the Muskegon metro area has been accomplished since the chamber's shared service study of last summer.
Shared Services: State urges local governments to do more - The Times-Gazette - Hillsboro, OH
http://timesgazette.com
6/25/2012 6:26:00 PM Shared Services: State urges local governments to do more As Hillsboro considers partnering with Paint Creek for fire & EMS coverage, the 'Beyond Boundaries' study encourages local governments to pool resources Meetings this week to discuss the Hillsboro-Paint Creek fire proposal Paint Creek Joint EMS/FIre District board meeting 7 p.m.
Our View: Fire issue deserves deliberate, careful thought by council - The Times-Gazette - Hillsboro, OH
http://timesgazette.com
6/25/2012 6:33:00 PM Our View: Fire issue deserves deliberate, careful thought by council Our story today on the increased movement toward shared services and regionalism offers a reminder that falling revenues for local government services are requiring creative solutions by school and government leaders.
'Shared services:' County Police, towns duplicate public safety - Union County Navigator - A Social Network for Union County, NJ
http://www.summitnavigator.com
By Cheryl Hehl, Staff Writer Union and Bergen counties are the only counties in the state that continue to hold onto county police divisions, despite local municipalities maintaining strong public safety departments on their own. And while shared services is a hot topic coming out of Trenton lately, many towns have resisted sharing issues of public safety with outside municipalities.
The Network
Comprised of government officials and employees, the public and others -- will help convene, connect and share ideas and best practices for local government collaboration.
Innovation Fund
The Local Government Innovation Fund (LGIF) is a program within the Ohio Department of Development. It will provide financial assistance to Ohio political subdivisions. The assistance is for planning and implementing projects that seek to create efficient and effective government service delivery for one or more entities.
Reports & Other Resources
Government collaboration is a subject area that has been discussed for decades. Numerous reports, studies and articles have been released on the subject area.
Podcasts
Hear interviews and commentary from officials across the region about how collaboration efforts have been implemented in their community.
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