Iowa State co-hosts March 18 workshop on sharing local government services

AMES, Iowa -- Options for local Iowa governments to share services will be examined during a workshop by Iowa State University faculty members Friday, March 18, at the Des Moines Marriott, 700 Grand Ave., Des Moines. The event is open to the public. Registration is $30 per person.

Kurt Thurmaier, professor of political science and director of Iowa State's public policy and administration program, said the workshop will examine Iowa 28E agreements (the legal tool cities, counties and the state use to share services) and provide a progress overview of the "Olive Tree Project," a shared-services pilot program in Boone and Poweshiek counties.

"The scope and efficiency of local governments is a major public policy issue in Iowa," Thurmaier said. "This workshop provides a forum for an engaging discussion about the evidence regarding how much local governments are sharing services."

ISU Extension, the Iowa League of Cities and the Iowa State Association of Counties will sponsor the workshop.

For more information and to register for the workshop, visit http://www.iowaleague.org/Workshops/OtherLeagueWorkshops.aspx?id=195">.