Municipalities & School Districts can share the cost of services, and ensure they are not duplicating services, like snow removal, in the same region (See also Education)
Municipalities and School Districts can save money by sharing the cost of services. School Boards and local governments contract out services such as Field Maintenance, IT Services, and Paving & Snow Removal. Often times, these governing bodies act independently of each other, even though they serve the same areas. However, municipalities and school districts within the municipality can sign agreements to share the cost of services, ensuring that both entities are using the most competitive services available. Sharing these services could result in much greater savings annually for each governing body.
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POLICY MEMO Re: Shared Services Agreements between Municipalities & School Districts
Municipalities and school districts can save money by sharing the cost of services. Both the city/town government and the local school district(s) pay for separately or contract out to different entities for various services- including field maintenance, paving and snow removal, IT services, energy audits, vehicle maintenance, and other services. Working independently can create disparities in costs for services. By sharing the costs and contracts for some services, the city/town and school district(s) can ensure that the best, most cost-effective service is being used, and potentially leverage greater savings for such services.
Both the municipal government and the school district(s) within the municipality will have various services they need to pay or contract for. Since the municipality and the school district(s) are two separate entities, they often pay or contract separately for these services. This means that they may pay separately for inhouse services or contract with different companies and negotiate different terms for similar services. This can result in both the municipality and the school district receiving less cost- efficient service than is available if they were to jointly contract for them. By sharing service costs and contracts, the municipality and school district can ensure they receive the most cost-effective service they can leverage. As opposed to contracting separately with different service providers, the municipality and school district can combine efforts to negotiate for the best service available. This ensures that each entity is using public funds in the most efficient way available. Furthermore, by sharing service costs, the municipality and school district may be able to save significant taxpayer dollars.
MODEL RESOLUTION Re: SHARED SERVICES
LOCAL UNIT SAMPLE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF JOINT AGREEMENT WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR RETAINING AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) COORDINATOR
WHEREAS, both the Municipality and School District employ (or contract for) an IT Coordinator for the maintenance and operation of a computer and internet network; and
WHEREAS, both the Municipality and School District are committed to sharing services when possible to save taxpayer money; and
WHEREAS, the Municipality and School District can reduce the overall cost of IT services by entering into a joint agreement for shared services.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED That the Municipal Administrator (or designee) is hereby authorized to execute a joint agreement with the Board of Education for the hiring of, or contracting with, a shared IT Network Administrator.
_________________________ Mayor _________________________ Municipal Clerk
Adopted:
ADDITIONAL SAMPLE SHARED SERVICES RESOLUTION
NO. 2008-42 RESOLUTION REGARDING INTERLOCAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWNSHIP OF ABERDEEN, BOROUGH OF MATAWAN AND MATAWAN-ABERDEEN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
WHEREAS, the Township of Aberdeen, Borough of Matawan and Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District are desirous of saving resources and costs and sharing services whenever possible and have agreed to enter into an agreement to utilize the same services for grass cutting and maintenance of their properties; and
WHEREAS, the Township of Aberdeen will be the lead agency for the purposes of administering the agreement and for procuring the vendors through the bid process.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Township Council of the Township of Aberdeen that the Township Manager and/or Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute on behalf of the Township an Interlocal Services Agreement with the Borough of Matawan and the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District governing the provisions of grass cutting and grass maintenance as outlined in the attached agreement.
ADDITIONAL SAMPLE SHARED SERVICES RESOLUTION
INTERLOCAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP OF HILLSBOROUGH AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF HILLSBOROUGH TO SHARE THE COST FOR CERTAIN SNOW REMOVAL SERVICES.
THIS AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into as of this _____ day of ____________, 2006 by and between the Township of Hillsborough (“Hillsborough”), a municipal corporation of the State of New Jersey, and the Board of Education of the Township of Hillsborough (“Board”), both having offices at 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, New Jersey 08844.
WHEREAS, Hillsborough and the Board desire to provide snow removal services at certain walkways within the Township; and
WHEREAS, those walkways are identified on the attached Schedule A; and
WHEREAS, the snow removal services will be provided through a contracted service whenever the walkways are determined to be impassable; and
WHEREAS, Hillsborough and the Board desire to equally share the cost for these snow removal services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and conditions contained herein the parties hereto agree as follows: –
1. The Board of Education of the Township of Hillsborough will pay the Township of Hillsborough for one-half of the contracted cost for the snow removal services at certain walkways.
2. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey, without regard to conflict of laws principles.
3. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the parties and their respective successors, representatives and permitted assigns.
4. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first set forth above.