Local government leaders are always looking for ways to save money, and consolidation is often high on the list. Outside interest groups, such as Chambers of Commerce, also promote consolidation as a more efficient way to provide regional services.

There are many options for enjoying the benefits of consolidation. These range from the complete integration of previously separate jurisdictions (city, county, special district) to consolidating management of individual services. The ability of a locale to successfully consolidate (or merge or integrate) depends on the facts and local leadership.

Management Partners has worked with local governments throughout the United States to merge organizations or to consolidate services. The firm was the primary outside advisor on the merger of the governments of the City of Louisville and Jefferson County, Kentucky, into a single Louisville Metro government (now the 16th largest city in the country).

We also have helped consolidate individual services, such as law enforcement (city contracts for services with a Sheriff), libraries (multi-city/county library systems), and emergency communications and dispatch. We have assisted the Fresno (California) Chamber of Commerce in its work to promote the integration of public safety services in the Fresno area, as well as the Polk County (Florida) Efficiency Commission to assess the opportunities to save money through service consolidation.