Many local officials recognize that their community does not exist in an small economic bubble and but rather is tied to a much larger regional economy. The challenge comes in figuring out how to work across city, county, and sometimes state lines to collaboratively address economic and quality-of-life challenges (and to take advantage of economic opportunities). The Alliance for Regional Stewardship and the National League of Cities have a very practical report called Guide to Successful Local Government Collaboration in America's Regions (download here). It has lots of examples of success stories and tools for local and regional leaders.
The guide provides sets of tools that are categorized as (1) Easier Options and (2) Harder Options. Here are examples of what you will find in each:
Easier Options
- Informal Cooperation
- Interlocal Service Contracts
- Joint Powers Agreements
- Extraterritorial Powers
- Councils of Governments
- Federally Encouraged Single-Purpose Regional Bodies
- State Planning and Development Districts
- Contracting
- Regional Purchasing Agreements
Harder Options
- Local Special Districts
- Transfer of Functions
- Annexation
- Special Districts and Authorities
- Metro Multipurpose Districts
- Reformed Urban County
- Regional Asset Districts
- Merger/Consolidation
