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Published March 6, 2005

Government initiative needs to begin now

Imagine if someone were to tell you that your local government had the opportunity to conduct a cost-free, independent evaluation of their operations that would result in more efficient, higher-quality services and lower taxes.

Such a study would be conducted in a transparent fashion and would have a positive impact on all of Northwest Indiana.

The good news is that this opportunity exists for all governments throughout Lake County. The bad news is that some elected officials are reluctant to be a part of this "Good Government" initiative. Instead of debating the process, let's stay focused on the long-term benefits of participating in a study like this. They include:

• Improving government efficiency and enhancing services to the public at a reduced cost.
• Lowering local taxes.
• Creating an atmosphere that attracts economic development and job creation by improving government resources and reducing costs.
• Ensuring public employees have the necessary tools to do their job effectively.
• Increasing taxpayer confidence in government management and operations.

In order for the Good Government initiative to be successful, all individual taxing units and governmental entities must participate. This includes county government, cities, towns, townships, school, libraries, the judicial system, water and sanitary departments -- in sum, every unit of government that imposes a tax on the people of Northwest Indiana.

The Good Government initiative is simple: establish an organization to modernize every local taxing unit, make them as efficient as possible and foster cooperation between jurisdictions when appropriate. In order to maintain the trust of the public, it is necessary to create a transparent process by hiring nationally recognized, independent experts to evaluate individual governmental units providing services to the public.

The initiative would have two parts. Part one is for the independent organization to report recommendations to government officials and the public on ways to cut costs and improve operating procedures, which will allow each taxing unit to provide the highest level of services at the most cost-effective price. This portion of the evaluation should be completed in time for the participating entities to prepare their 2006 budget.

The second part of the study is to identify areas of cooperation between governmental units that will improve efficiencies through inter-governmental agreements and possible voluntary consolidation of services.

This is not the "unigov" approach implemented in Indianapolis and Marion County. Rather, it is an opportunity for local governments to improve themselves and to voluntarily create interlocal agreements and cooperate in areas that make sense. The recommendations coming from part two should be completed 12 months after the study begins, in time for the 2007 legislative session.

With five property tax installments due in the next 14 months, the time is right for Northwest Indiana to get our house in order. The implementation of the Good Government initiative now will also help our local legislators in securing state support for the capital improvements necessary for this region.

By agreeing to the Good Government initiative, which places a priority on cutting costs and delivering effective services, our elected officials will demonstrate they have the public's best interest in mind.

Our public officials are hired and elected to work for the goals of the Good Government initiative. The time is now. Our elected leaders must decide if they will work for creating an environment that fosters economic growth and job creation, along with lower taxes, or if they are happy with the status quo.