Case Study

Lehigh County and the City of Allentown, Pennsylvania
Joint Services Assessment

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania and its county seat, the City of Allentown, secured a state grant to identify areas where joint working between the two jurisdictions could create financial savings for both governments while maintaining or improving levels of service to the public. The County retained PFM to conduct a joint services assessment that highlighted successful national and local joint service efforts and identified areas for potential cooperation between Lehigh and Allentown.

After meeting with numerous County and City departmental leaders and staff, PFM provided a list of over 40 initiatives covering 11 areas including public works, information technology, revenue collection and human resources where the governments could provide services together instead of separately.

Along with considering input from County and City officials on these joint service opportunities, the analysis presented the experiences of other governments that successfully provide services together through consolidated operations, joint administration, intergovernmental contracting and other joint working arrangements.