#26 - Eric Norenberg on scaling local government services

Today Eric Norenberg takes us inside the world of regional government. Eric is the Executive Director of the Centre Region Council of Governments in Pennsylvania. Whether or not you have contemplated regional models of governance, this episode will open your mind to an alternative way of delivering local government services.We are talking this month about regional partnership and why or when they might make sense. The Centre Region Council of Governments offers a great model as well as lessons in scaling services. However, it is not without challenges. And we will hear about that as well.LINKS AND SHOW NOTESCentre Region Council of GovernmentsEric Norenberg LinkedInEric Norenberg has served local governments in five states over his 35+ years in local government. He is the Executive Director of the Centre Region Council of Governments. The Centre Region COG provides a variety of municipal services for six member communities in central Pennsylvania. Previously Eric served as City Manager in Oberlin, OH and in Milford, DE. Eric has a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Michigan, is an ICMA credentialed manager. He served on the Ohio City/County Management Association Board and was the Association President in 2013-14. He has served on several ICMA committees, co-chaired the ICMA Task Force on Members in Transition in 2020-21, and is an active Rotarian.[00:00:00] The executive committee.[00:02:54] Formation of Center Region Council.[00:07:29] Committees and meeting schedules.[00:13:09] The future of COGs.[00:13:10] The COG as an organization.[00:17:50] Using consent agenda more.[00:19:36] COG's workload and municipal meetings.[00:22:10] COG committee process and coordination.[00:24:05] Structure of regional partnerships.[00:26:39] Municipal silos and COG growth.[00:30:58] Maintenance and reinvestment in facilities.[00:34:42] The benefits of regional collaboration.[00:39:38] The value of partnerships.[00:42:13] Collaborative library book delivery.[00:44:45] Eric shares Influential people and career path.[00:47:59] Influence of parents on career choices.