Supporting Government Collaboration & Efficiency

The Fund for Our Economic FutureMission: Unite philanthropy to strengthen region’s economic competitiveness

• Region-wide membership, >60 voting members

• More than $70 million raised

• Committed to regional, collaborative and integrated approach to fostering economic growth

• 4.1 million people• $170 billion economy• Top 25 region in U.S. –

by population and economy

Our Region – Northeast Ohio

Our Work1. Help region align to address priorities of

Advance Northeast OhioBusiness Growth & Attraction

Talent Development

Racial & Economic Inclusion

Government Collaboration & Efficiency

Our Work2. Support regional initiatives that address

Advance Northeast Ohio priorities, including:

MAGNETNorTechTeam NEOJumpStart

Why GovernmentCollaboration & Efficiency

• Priority identified by public

• Factor in regional growth according to research

• Elected leaders recognize connection between gov’t efficiency and economic competitiveness

• Local governments faced with permanent fiscal crisis

Public Supports Regional Approaches

82%believe Northeast Ohio would benefit if governments worked together

67%favor government consolidation

Areas of Collaboration Interest

87%favor collaborating to improve roads, sewers and highways

79%favor collaboration among fire or police services

Areas of Collaboration Interest

76%favor collaboration among public school districts

60%of residents favor sharing tax revenue for new economic growth

Support for Change is Growing

54%of residents favor consolidation of fire or police, up from 27% in 2005

87%support regionalcoordination on land use,up from 44% in 2006

Cost of Government Research•• 656656 Northeast Ohio government entities reported

total spending in 2002 of nearly $16 billion; more than 10% of the region’s overall economy.

• Previously, 852852 governments had reported – so the $16 billion in government spending reported to the most recent Census is conservative.

Rate of Growth for Local Government Spending vs. Other Economic Indicators

• 1% 25% 29%70%

1992 2002

Our Goals1. Support local government officials who are

collaborative, focused on efficiency

2. Build public awareness and support of government collaborations

3. Make it easier for local officials to propose and implement collaborations

4. Align growth of local government and infrastructure spending with economic growth

Our Response• Support Regional Prosperity Initiative

• Led by Northeast Ohio Mayors & City Managers Association

• Developing a framework to implement regional infrastructure planning to accelerate economic growth and benefit participating communities

• Reduce intra-regional competition and limit no-growth sprawl

Visit NEO-RPI.org for detailed reports and latest recommendations

Our ResponseIntroduced in 2009 a government collaboration

initiative designed to:

• Encourage more government collaborations by directly funding projects, encouraging others

• Increase awareness and build greater public support for government efficiency

• Empower public to advance more efficient local government

EfficientGovNow – Round 1 ResultsOverwhelming Response:• More than 255 governments partnerships• 65 abstracts, 39 full proposals qualified• Collective one-time savings of $40 million;

anticipated annual savings more than $22 million • Nearly 13,500 citizens voted• Calls from throughout region for more

NEOconsolidationThe Fund for Our Economic Future rightly creates an incentive for local governments to restructure services Published on Friday, Jan 16, 2009

Survey finds support for regional cooperation8:07 am, January 16, 2009

Group to offer $300,000 in grants Fund hopes to make collaboration, consolidation more attractive to Northeast Ohio governments By Rick Armon Beacon Journal staff writer

Published on Friday, Jan 16, 2009

Survey Shows NE Ohioans Want More Collaboration Between City GovernmentsWCPN ideastream®Bill Rice reportsJanuary 15, 2009

Survey says Northeast Ohioans are optimistic about the region's future.Philanthropic collaborative group polled 3000 area residents about the economy, education and regional cooperation.Tom ParkinsonFriday, January 16, 2009

Sharing duties Initiative to stop government spending trendJanuary 16, 2009By BRYAN SCHAAFStaff Writer

Northeast Ohioans want cities, schools to collaborate, survey showsPosted by Tom Breckenridge/Plain Dealer Reporter January 16, 2009 00:01AM

Survey: Valley residents are least satisfiedGroup plans to award grants for collaboration

By LARRY RINGLER / Tribune Chronicle POSTED: January 16, 2009

Study: Some school collaboration OKBy RAYMOND L. SMITH Tribune ChroniclePOSTED: January 23, 2009

Opinion'OUR VIEW' EDITORIAL: Consolidate local government servicesto use taxes more wiselySunday, February 8, 2009 11:45 AM EST

Out of crisis could come better governmentBy James A. Bower and Brad WhiteheadPosted Feb 11, 2009 @ 12:00 PM

Time’s right for local reformSunday, February 22, 2009By Tom Humphries and Brad WhiteheadFirst lesson of bad times? Collaborate

Published by the Akron Beacon Journal on Friday, Jan 09, 2009 By Rob Briggs, Christine Mayerand Brad Whitehead

Public to decide who gets grants to encourage multi-government collaborationsPosted by Tom Breckenridge/Plain Dealer Reporter February 25, 2009 15:15PM

Media Response

EfficientGovNow – Round 1 ResultsWinning Proposals:• Rollin’ on the River: Mahoning River Corridor

Redevelopment Project ($57,451)• Westshore Regional Fire District Project, covering

Cuyahoga and Lorain counties ($100,000)• Mahoning-Youngstown Regional Information System

($120,000)

EfficientGovNow – Round 2• Launched January 5, 2010• What’s new:

– Offering up to a total of $330,000– Will award as many as four grants, up from three– Fourth grant for a collaboration involving smaller

communities

EfficientGovNow Application Criteria• Minimum two governmental partners• Money for implementation, not planning• Implemented within two years• Results in lower government costs and/or stronger

economic competitiveness• Demonstrates how “savings” will be used to

strengthen economic competitiveness (i.e., reduce taxes, provide scholarships)

• Demonstrate potential to be replicated throughout region

EfficientGovNow Timetable

February 26 – Project abstracts due

April 19 – Proposals due

April 30 – Finalists named

May 1 – Voting begins

May 31 – Voting ends

June – Winners announced

Potential Projects• Shared economic development staff among

governmental units, port authorities• Merged city-county departments (building, health,

economic development)• Combined safety forces across government

jurisdictions• Shared dispatch services• Shared administrative services in government or

education

EfficientGovNow – Partners

• Working with partners of Advance Northeast Ohio, region’s economic action plan

• Supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

• Kent State University Center for Public Administration and Public Policy advising participants

• If you’d like to learn more contact Mike Shafarenko atmshafarenko@futurefundneo.orgor 216-925-4905

Questions