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If the activities of the new arrangement are significantly different than other city operations — for instance, if there is a new joint powers agreement for ambulance services that requires Medicare bil1mg — then a separate accounting function may make sense. Location and logistics As sting decisions are made and depending on the purchase of any new equipment, there may need to be some provisions made for locating resources. One consideration is whether it is important for the joint activities to operate out of a single location, or if it is fine for equipment or staff to be spread out among the cities involved. In a joint powers arrangement* and perhaps even under a "service contract ' approach, it may be desirable to identify the operation in a way that conveys to the public that it's a cooperative effort. E.g., even though legally it #s the City of Mosquito Heights that's providing police services to the City of Frostbite Falls, it might be desirable to call it the Mosquito Heights — Frostbite Falls Police Department. Liability In any-cooperative arrangement, you ideally want to avoid creating situations where each party must respond independently to claim arising from cooperative activities. if that happens it can gut the parties into conflict with each other, and even into litigation agt each other, when a liability ciaim occurs. In a consolidated service, it works hest for the joint board to carry its own liability coverage. The coverage should be structured to protect the constituent cities as well as the joint entity. (LMCIT does this automatically when covering a joint powers entity.). Under a service contract approach, it worm best for the city providing the service to carry the liability risk and coverage, since that city controls how the service is provided and therefore is in a position to control that liability risk, The "provider' city Would also agree contractually to defend and indemnify the "purchaser' city for claims arising from activities under the mice agreement. Under a mutual aid approach, L IT generally recommends that the city receivin h g the assistance assume the liability; i.e., the receiving city agrees to defend and indemnify the city providing the assistance for liability claims that might arise. The mutual aid agreement would also provide that the city providing the assistance is under the direction and control of the city receiving the service. Again, the idea is to make it clear w'ho ' s in charge, and to have the party that's in charge bear the liability risk. Police operations When combining police operations, them are a few special issues to consider, Do any of the cities have part -time officers? Will the new department have part -time officers? What will be the policy on personal equipment, such as weapons, uniforms, body armor, etc.? (will the officer purchase it or is it supplied, etc.)? 4