Resumen de Interlocal Agreements as Collaborations: An Empirical Investigation of Impetuses, Norms, and Success

Yu-Che Chen, Kurt Thurmaier

• Interlocal agreements (ILAs) have long been a useful tool for municipal and county governments to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of local government services. Yet although they have a long history in practice, there is little empirical study of the impetus and success of ILAs, especially on a statewide basis. This study presents results from a statewide survey of ILAs in Iowa created in the period, 1993-2004. Results suggest that ILAs are created to increase the effectiveness as well as efficiency of local services. The impetus for ILAs provides a focusing effect. Moreover, equitable sharing of benefits is important for the success of ILAs, and population and type of service also matter.