The report is entitled The Costs, Benefits and Alternatives for Consolidating the Onekama Governments.
ONEKAMA -- More local governments are discussing the possibility of teaming up to save costs. Two communities in Manistee County have already started the discussion on the benefits of merger, and now the communities are getting some outside help in viewing the benefits of the plan.
Earlier this year, Onekama Township and the Village of Onekama started the official discussions of a merger. The talks also made history, with the two communities becoming some of the first in the state to discuss such a step. Officials unveiled the results of a several month-long merger study to residents at a meeting in June. While a merger would be voted on by Onekama residents, the communities are also getting some help from other organizations to take a closer look at the plan.
The Citizens Research Council (CRC) of Michigan has released a report that will help the Village of Onekama, Onekama Township and other local governments consider the possibilities of merging governments. The report is entitled "The Costs, Benefits and Alternatives for Consolidating the Onekama Governments".
CRC's analysis and report stemmed from a decision by the Village and Township to consider the potential benefits of having one governmental unit for the community instead of two for three reasons:
1) to determine if short and long-term cost reductions would be realized
2) to assess if having one governmental entity instead of two would simplify and enhance public access and participation with their governing body
3) if having one governmental entity would strengthen the community's focus on its visions, strategies and goals for the future.
CRC was commissioned through the Shared Public Services Initiative, a collaborative project involving local, state and nonprofit organizations administered through the Michigan Municipal League Foundation, to assess and explain the merger options and associated costs and benefits.
Funding for the project was also provided by the Township, Village and the Portage Lake Watershed Forever Council. Residents of the Village of Onekama recently circulated petitions to disincorporate the Village and a disincorporation commission is now being formed to prepare a report on what should be done in the event dissolution is approved by the voters.
"Onekama is at the forefront of local government reform," said CRC president Jeffrey Guilfoyle. "By asking whether it is necessary to have two governments to govern a population of 1,400, Onekama community leaders are setting the stage for a rethinking of local government throughout rural Michigan."
Township Supervisor David Meister and Village President Bob Blackmore said that the report will be of great value to everyone with an interest in the Onekama community and particularly to the disincorporation commission once it is formed and begins work.
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