While no shattering change in local government was suggested, representatives from county, village and township governments did appear to take steps in tandem at what was billed as a "summit on intergovernmental cooperation."

THE LARGEST committee during a summit involving county, village and township officials last week tackled “emergency services.”

The all-day summit, held last Wednesday, Sept. 5, at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center, attracted about 50 local officials. The event was sponsored by the county Board of Commissioners, and facilitated by John Amrhein through the Michigan State University Extension office in Wexford County.

Amrhein has held five similar summits in northern Michigan that attracted similar discussions about sharing services and working together.

With one uniquely local distinction — attendees voted resurrection of Sugar Loaf Resort their No. 3 topic of concern — most topics that Leelanau officials believe need attention are also concerns in other counties, Amrhein said.

"We had some real good discussions by the group in identifying the issues," said Amrhein after officials broke into small groups to tackle problems.

While a group was formed to work specifically on Sugar Loaf, success in reviving the ailing resort that has not opened for skiing since 2000 has been elusive. Said Amrhein: "Sugar Loaf is a tough one. The private sector has had its problems. I wouldn't go into that one expecting a quick resolution."

But groups did form to study other challenges common to local governments, with the broad title "emergency services" drawing the most interest.

A tally was made of priorities of the group after topics had been identified, with emergency services — commonly known as fire protection and ambulance service — clearly drew the most concern with 48 "votes."

It also drew the most volunteers to work on a committee, which after a long discussion set a meeting for Oct. 22. Invited will be supervisors or representatives from each of the county's 11 townships.

The discussion, perhaps the first held on a county-wide scope by elected officials about emergency services, was at times frank and far reaching.

All subjects were on the table, including looking into consolidations of fire departments between townships and even looking at county-run emergency services, said Suttons Bay Township supervisor Rich Bahle.

Bahle looked forward to holding discussions open to resolutions that have been considered politically sensitive in the past. "That is my goal, to look about this … in a broader sense," he said.

Glen Arbor Township supervisor John Soderholm said the group will be looking more into improving the "value" of services provided to residents than cost cutting.

"There are parts in the county that have disparate service levels," said Soderholm "We'll see what happens."

Mark Walter from Bingham Township was the only county commissioner on the emergency services break-out committee, and he told committee members that the county holds little authority to control township fire departments or ambulance service. "Any further action is going to be driven by the townships," he said.

However, he said Leelanau County may help mediate discussions, as it did in organizing the summit.

No time or location was selected for the meeting of township representatives on Oct. 22.

No. 2 on the list of priorities for the officials with 37 votes was "Shared Purchasing," followed by Sugar Loaf with 26. On the shared purchasing committee were four county representatives — commissioners Robert Hawley and Jean Watkoski, clerk Michelle Crocker and treasurer Vicki Kilway.

Also making the "top 12" list of issues identified by those attending the summit were working together in the areas of school collaboration (22), zoning, planning and permitting (19), improving infrastructure (16), parks and recreation (14), economic growth (12), improving local education (12), creative land use policy (8), sharing state "payment in lieu of taxes" with townships, and farmland preservation (6).

Not making the list: coordinating family and tribal courts, libraries, "Promise" education programs, village-township cooperation and assessing and collecting property taxes.