What type of planning process is involved when municipalities form shared services?

The planning process that involves municipalities forming shared services is collaborative decision-making. This process is essential because it requires multiple municipalities to come together to identify mutual interests and agree on how to share resources and services effectively. Collaborative decision-making emphasizes communication, negotiation, and consensus-building among various stakeholders, which is crucial for addressing the complexities and potential conflicts of shared service arrangements.

This approach allows municipalities to leverage their collective resources, reduce costs, and improve service delivery by pooling their capabilities. The formation of shared services necessitates input and agreement from different local governments, ensuring that all parties feel represented and have a stake in the decisions made.

While strategic planning, annual budgeting, and resource allocation are important in the overall governance process, they do not specifically capture the essence of the joint effort and partnership required to create and implement shared services among municipalities. Collaborative decision-making is at the heart of establishing and maintaining these agreements, facilitating cooperation for the benefit of the communities involved.