Creation of a COG Discussed at City Council

Marion City Council began discussing the possibility of created a local COG, which stands for Council of Governments, during a Finance Committee meeting Monday evening. While the COG could mean lower costs and improved services for local residents, there was concern expressed about possibly giving up decision making control.

Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer told council members that COGs are not new in Ohio, but are new to the Marion area. He explained that several government organizations can join together as a COG to use size as a favorable bargaining position when it comes to purchasing services. Schertzer pointed to healthcare costs, saying the COG could form a healthcare consortium to drive down those costs.

The original proposal of forming the COG with TRECA seemed to cause the most confusion during the meeting. Council members initially thought the agreement meant that TRECA would be offering the shared services. TRECA officials stressed that, while they could potentially offer some services, their goal was to create this COG in order to decrease the costs they themselves incur.

Another benefit to forming a COG is the ability to apply for money through a fund created by the State of Ohio. These funds can be in the form of grants or zero-interest loans to help local governments consolidate services.

Councilman Mike Thomas expressed frustration at the idea of the state offering the money to local governments. He stated that the problem in Marion is not so much unemployment, but the state taking more and more money. And now, he said, they are forcing local governments to consolidate in order to get a little bit of the money back. Thomas stated that Marion should be able to run the city the way they want.

Thomas also expressed concerns that the grants and loans would go towards taking services away from local businesses and give them to other organizations.

“If we don’t support our private businesses, they are going to leave,” stated Thomas.

Finance Committee Chair Ralph Cumston expressed similar concerns over the possible affect on the local businesses that currently provide services. He also repeatedly expressed concerns over allowing the COG the ability to make decisions for the City of Marion.

Mayor Schertzer stressed that the COG would not be able to make decisions without the approval of City Council and at anytime the City could choose to not participate in any possible programs. He said the City would only participate in programs that made sense, would save money, and improve services.

TRECA approached the City about forming the COG, according to Schertzer, and has also met with the Marion County Commissioners. Schertzer said he would hope that more and more government groups would join, including local school districts. He said the more members the better when it comes to lowering costs.

No vote was taken on the issue Monday evening, but the committee will discuss it again at their next meeting on February 21.