There are several reasons why municipalities have been getting together to work out partnership agreements for services more and more over the past several years. Saving money is right near the top of that list. As if the saving taxpayer dollars in this way wasn’t reason enough for
Delta Township to create a consolidation agreement with Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority, an $180,000 Economic Incentive Vitality Program grant from the Michigan Department of Treasury to help with the consolidation created even more savings.
“We’ve been discussing this with Watertown and Eagle Townships for some time now,” says Delta Township Manger Richard Watkins. “We’ve been talking about how we could operate more efficiently together.”
The consolidation agreement, which will consolidate the fire and ambulance services of all three townships under the Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority, will begin March 1. The $180,000 will help with the purchase of equipment, training and legal fees associated with the consolidation
“It will certainly help,” says Watkins. “The intent of the EVIP grant was to make this type of consolidation easier. There are always upfront costs to these things.”
According to Watkins, the total number of staff of the fire departments will stay fairly steady, but will be consolidated under one authority.
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