Interlocal Services: Working Together

Introduction

Local officials are finding themselves hard pressed to maintain essential services during a time of economic retrenchment and taxpayer resistance to any increase in the costs of government. An alternative lies in the sharing of services and their costs. Interlocal Services offer an opportunity to provide services while maximizing the use of valuable tax dollars. By sharing resources, communities may be able to maintain service levels without increasing costs, or even initiate new services which were previously too costly.

The development of a successful program requires the commitment and the cooperation of all participants. This booklet describes the steps necessary to evaluate potential interlocal projects and to establish an interlocal agreement. It begins with A GUIDE TO JOINT FEASIBILITY STUDIES and concludes with some elements to consider in IMPLEMENTING INTERLOCAL SERVICES.

The booklet is a companion volume to the Division's publication, "Interlocal Services: A Reference Guide to the Delivery of Joint Services," which contains selected statutes relating to the interlocal provision of services. If there are any questions about this publication or the interlocal process, please contact:

Regionalization and Special Services Unit
Bureau of Local Management Services
Division of Local Government Services CN 803
Trenton NJ 08625-0803

PHONE: (609) 292-7842

FAX: (609) 633-3243