Rochester Hills and Sterling Heights Announce First Ever Partnership

The following news was submitted by the city of Rochester Hills.

With a focus on efficiencies and cost reduction, the City of Rochester Hills continues to find ways to provide a high level of service withfewer resources. In their latest partnership, Rochester Hills is pleased to announce that they have entered into an interlocal agreement to share building inspectors with the City of Sterling Heights.

The agreement allows either community to request personnel assistance to conduct building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and plan review services for one another on an “as needed basis,” at no cost.

The approved agreement between both cities is currentlylimited to building department services; however this creates additional opportunities forfuture consideration.

“The landscape of local governments is changing and evolving, our city council and thisadministration has been progressive in finding innovative solutions,” states Mayor Bryan K. Barnett.

After Rochester Hills initiated discussions between the two communities, both city councils supported the agreement.
"This agreement is a win for everyone involved, both of our communities and all of the customers we serve. It provides us the resources we need to keep providing the service that our customers have grown to expect,” states Scott Cope, Rochester Hills Building Director.

For Sterling Heights, “Service sharing has become an effective way to deal with losses in manpower while still meeting the service demands of our customers,” states Michael Viazanko, Building Official. “It also helps us keep our inspections on schedule, which is something our contractors appreciate.”

Rochester Hills has implemented several service sharing agreements that not only include the areas of police, fire and dispatch services, but also with the Older Person’s Commission, the Clinton River Watershed Council, and Shelby Township's Building Department.