Three MidMichigan communities consider consolidating services, possibly putting jobs and quality of life issues on the line.
Davison, Richfield Township, and Davison Township are looking at new ways to work together. That could impact police work.
Right now, these communities share several resources, but a recent report says they could do more.
It's now up to local leaders whether to make changes.
They already share the same library, schools, and regional park.
"We have all come together historically over time to do what is right for the community," says Davison City Manager Michael Hart.
Richfield Township resident Paul Hughes says, "We come to all the things they have in Davison. They have a lot of things to do."
But they could also be sharing police services for accident investigations and detective work, and they could pool volunteer and internship services for a savings of nearly $1.2 million.
That's according to an independent report.
Now administrators will have to make tough decisions.
"We provide, in essence, the platform for business and for quality of life, and it's being eroded. It's being impacted," says Hart.
That same study showed Davison outranks most Michigan municipalities for cost-savings.
For example, Pontiac doesn't share its library with anyone. It's for sale, as well as its city hall, and city-owned cemeteries.
In Highland Park, at night the city is in the dark. The city shut off 70% of its street lights to settle a $4-million utility bill.
For Davison, leaders say they want to make sure they stay ahead of the curve to keep that from happening.
"Let's make lemonade out of lemons," says Hart.
For the first time in Davison's history, it will craft a capital budget to prioritize expensive projects like utilities and roads.
The city manager says he wants to get into a "repair mode" instead of a "replace mode" to save money and maintain services.
