Combining services to save money

CALHOUN COUNTY (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - In Calhoun County several dozen communities are looking at ways to save some cash by connecting their services.

More than 60 public leaders from the county are brainstorming ways to help save money, even if it takes services across geographic borders.

Public safety, public transportation and tax collection are just a few examples of services communities could work together to provide.

Members from all walks of Calhoun County government got together Wednesday to find out what they can do better, and how they can do it for less.

"In this day and age, it's the wave of the future. You want to do things better and for less expense," said Calhoun County Commissioner Kate Segal.

County leaders made lists of what they could do together.

"We talked about the consolidation of fire, EMS and 911 was probably the first and most important," said Battle Creek Mayor John Godfrey.

Godfrey used the example of Fire Station 3 in Battle Creek and the Emmett Township Public Safety office. Both buildings are old and in need of updating. But the city and township could save money by going in on something new together.

"It might be how the services are delivered, but the goal would be to give equal or better services and a decreased cost," said Godfrey.

The state is proposing cuts to local revenue sharing to balance the budget, so collaboration like this is a necessity.

Mayor Godfrey says he'd also like to see a transit authority established to provide better public transportation.

County leaders will be forming committees to work on the top ideas to come out of Wednesday’s meeting.