If there is a silver lining to these challenging economic times it's that local governments are finding new ways to make their dollars stretch farther. Exhibit A is the slew of proposals to consolidate services and even merge municipalities to streamline bureaucracy and save money.
The latest example is the proposed merging of the Birmingham and Bloomfield Township police departments and perhaps even the fire departments. Leaders from both municipalities are reviewing a study that examines the pros and cons of consolidation.
"Nothing is a forgone conclusion," says Tomas Markus, city manager for Birmingham. "After we study the proposal it has to be vetted by the departments and then it has to be vetted by the public."
Markus declined to estimate a timetable for a possible consolidation of services but is keeping an open mind about merging not only the police departments but also the fire departments that cover the 30 square miles and 60,000 residents.
The study, conducted by Plante & Moran, indicates that combining the police departments would save approximately $6 million over seven years and approximately $1.9 million annually thereafter. Creating one fire department would also save $4 million over seven years and about $1 million annually there after.
The savings would come from eliminating redundant fire equipment, command staff and fire department positions. However, a one-time investment of about $3.6 to $5.6 million to consolidate services to one central location would be necessary.
Usually the need to balance a budget is the driving force behind such talk of consolidating services. However, both communities have been able to avoid budget crunches and are instead looking at staying ahead of the curve.
"Nobody is immune to that situation in this state economy," Markus says. "The other reason is to preserve and improve services and recognize that taxes can't go up."
Other Metro Detroit communities have broached the idea of consolidating services recently. Farmington and Farmington Hills are even talking about merging into one community. Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills will continue to talk about plans to merge police and fire services throughout the year.
Source: Tom Markus, city manager of the city of Birmingham
Writer: Jon Zemke
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