Partnerships Can Stretch Dollars

Public-Private Partnerships come in all shapes and sizes.  Prior to my appointment in Geneva, I worked for a firm that managed the largest single partnership effort in municipal history.  The local government partnered with a large firm to provide all municipal services, with the exception of fire and police.  Here in Geneva, that may seem like a stretch.  However, little ole' Geneva has been partnering for years.

The vast majority of Geneva's IT services are delivered through such a partnership.  In fact, the City only employs a single person to help with computer equipment.  The rest, including website development, server maintenance, our public WiFi network, and a host of other computer related services are provided through a partnership with a private company.  Our neighborhood efforts are also bolstered by such parterships, as are the Comptroller and City Clerk's offices.  We estimate several hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs each year have been saved through this method.

Partnerships go two ways.  Forget about large corporations for a second.  The City also benefits from partnerships with some groups that may be familiar to you.  Groups like the Geneva Historical Society, Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce, Geneva Boys and Girls Club, and the Humane Society all deliver services in our great City.  In exchage, we provide public investments to assist in their efforts.

Think of as many City services as you can.  Then ask, "could we do that a different way?" and "Could a local not-for-profit benefit?"  Today, the City released a Request for Proposals for Not for Profit groups.  If you're affiliated with any group that could help (and be helped), please direct them to the City website.