Roy Arthur, a local township trustee in Jackson County, used to have a wise catchphrase: “working together where it counts.”

He was ahead of his time with his conviction that state government should encourage state agencies to work together, as well as urge local governments to do the same. In our pocket of the state, local governments have been collaborating in this way for a long time.

For instance, our safety forces share training and other resources and are ready to assist each other at any time.

On a state level, there also is a unified effort by several state agencies to streamline Medicaid. Parts of that endeavor are working really well, while others, such as changing the way PASSPORT is delivered, need more attention.

Each model of delivering services has to be evaluated separately, based on its individual risks and benefits. And throughout the Buckeye state, government groups are striving to do better.

Under the leadership of Ron Amstutz, chairman of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee, the state budget allocated $50 million to help local governments work together to administer services.

Locally, there is a push to allow the Job and Family Services agencies in Ross, Vinton and Hocking counties to pool their resources. This will enable them to provide more efficient services with little or no impact to their constituents.

Sometimes these efforts have a price tag upfront, but these initial expenses are necessary to operate efficiently in the long run.

The Local Government Innovation Fund (LGIF) extends an opportunity for counties to apply for funds promoting long-term savings. Any government entity, from townships to school districts, is eligible to receive these funds.

In the House Finance Committee, we recently heard testimony proposing that Ohio make the LGIF more accessible to rural areas. Rep. Amstutz and Rep. Weddington have worked hard to make this initiative successful.

Local governments also will need to recognize what they can do differently to provide services in the most effective way possible.

Ohio consists of many different government entities operating alongside one another.

From fire departments to town councils and state agencies, working together will increase the efficacy of each and every government service.

Ultimately, all these entities exist to help the people of Ohio, so we all stand to benefit if they are consistent and accountable.

 

John Carey serves in Ohio’s 87th District of the House of Representatives, which includes eastern Lawrence County. He can be reached at (614) 466-1366, by writing to: Ohio House of Representatives, 77 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215, or via e-mail at District87@ohr.state.oh.us.