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Even if the cities forming a new consolidated service intend to maintain it well into the future, it's important to include plans for possible termination of the agreement. will the agreement expire on a specified date, or continue indefinitely until terminated by the parties? When may a city withdraw, under what conditions, and how much notice is required? In a multi -party joint service, will/can the service continue with the now - reduced number of participating cities? If the joint arrangement is dissolved, how are the equipment, assets and liabilities allocated' In addition to the contract that controls the new cooperative seMce, other existing city contracts should be reviewed to nee ware the operative activity doesn't somehow affect thern. For example, if the city is moving from having its own service to a consolidated or service contract approach, does the city have any existing mutual aid arrangements affecting that service? If so, those arrangements will need to be revised. Employees How to staff the services being provided, including how to manage that staff, is an important consideration that may in fact impact the decision about how best to structure an agreement. Will the new operation have the same number, more, or fewer employees than the combined total of the cities' existing operations"? If there are labor agreements in force in one or more of the participating cities, they will need to be reviewed in light of the new operation and any provisions regarding changes to the labor contract considered. Also, Mere will need to be a determination about what union, if any, will represent the employees in a combined service. Regardless of whether there are unions in place, the salary and benefits schedule for the new department will need to be established. This could be a significant issue if the wage and/or benefit packages are significantly different in two cities that are combining services. It's possible that all current employees of each city's activities will be combined to form the new staff, and that those employees will be guaranteed a job. However, the parti cipating cities night also choose to have employees apply individually for a job with the new department or opemdon. Other employment questions to ask Mclude: Igo any of the cities have a civil service system covering employees that would be affected? Do any of the cities have a local relief association covering employees that would be affected? How will personnel records and files be handled for both current and future employees? Accounting practices It may be more efficient to have one of the cities handle accounting functioas on behalf of the consolidated operation, rather thou having the consolidated operation set up its own accounting system.. This may include payroll activities for the joint operations sue.