COLUMBUS – State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland), State Representative Mike Foley (D-Cleveland) and Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson today called for changes to Ohio’s revised code that would give cities and municipalities broader authority to share services.
“The current fiscal environment forces us to think how we can work collaboratively to address the needs of our citizens while saving taxpayer dollars,” said Senator Turner. “I am pleased to work with Mayor Jackson and Representative Foley to empower our communities to work together to provide vital services more efficiently.”
Under current state law, municipalities are allowed to provide police, fire and emergency medical services outside their boundaries. Senator Turner and Representative Foley will introduce legislation this week in the General Assembly that would expand that authority to enable municipalities to share costs and resources for waste collection, snow removal and other services.
“Our legislation gives municipalities more options to cut administrative costs and allocate resources more effectively,” said Representative Foley. “If a street serves as a boundary between two cities it makes sense for just one of them to plow the snow off the street.”
Senator Turner and Representative Foley drafted the legislation at the suggestion of Mayor Jackson. The proposal has the support of the Cuyahoga County Mayors and Managers Association.
"By focusing on this type of broad change in how we as local governments operate, we will make this entire region more competitive, improve our business environment, reduce the cost of operating government and improve quality of life," said Mayor Frank G. Jackson.
Hearings will begin after the legislation is introduced in both chambers of the General Assembly.
“The current fiscal environment forces us to think how we can work collaboratively to address the needs of our citizens while saving taxpayer dollars,” said Senator Turner. “I am pleased to work with Mayor Jackson and Representative Foley to empower our communities to work together to provide vital services more efficiently.”
Under current state law, municipalities are allowed to provide police, fire and emergency medical services outside their boundaries. Senator Turner and Representative Foley will introduce legislation this week in the General Assembly that would expand that authority to enable municipalities to share costs and resources for waste collection, snow removal and other services.
“Our legislation gives municipalities more options to cut administrative costs and allocate resources more effectively,” said Representative Foley. “If a street serves as a boundary between two cities it makes sense for just one of them to plow the snow off the street.”
Senator Turner and Representative Foley drafted the legislation at the suggestion of Mayor Jackson. The proposal has the support of the Cuyahoga County Mayors and Managers Association.
"By focusing on this type of broad change in how we as local governments operate, we will make this entire region more competitive, improve our business environment, reduce the cost of operating government and improve quality of life," said Mayor Frank G. Jackson.
Hearings will begin after the legislation is introduced in both chambers of the General Assembly.
