Legislation recently introduced in the House would create a shared grant services program designed to help communities save money and reduce property taxes.
House Bill 2760 would allow school districts and municipalities to apply for state funding to support local cooperation initiatives. These initiatives include consolidation and personnel sharing, shared capacity, boundary change, and regionalization.
The purpose of the bill is to reduce the amount of money spent on administrative costs and overhead and increase funds spent on services.
The shared grant services approach is a way to encourage resource sharing and reduce costs, according to the Joint State Government Commission.
The Department of Community and Economic Development would administer the new program, and the state legislature would appropriate funding.
“With strained budgets, local governments and school districts throughout Pennsylvania are looking for ways to provide necessary services without raising taxes,” state Rep. Joe Ciresi (D-Montgomery), who introduced the bill, said. “We have a real opportunity to improve local government and reduce property taxes through back-office reform and shared services, allowing us to do more with less while keeping our local representation and community identity.”
The bill has bipartisan support.
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education also is considering shared services.