|
In September, 1998, the city of Monmouth, IL, entered into an innovative and unique public-private partnership with Environmental Management Corporation (EMC), the largest provider of contracted municipal services in Illinois and who specializes in water, wastewater, and public works.
The contract agreement covers all public works functions, including water and wastewater services, street maintenance, and billing. Monmouth is the largest city in the state, and one of the largest in the nation, to have a single contract provider for all public works services.
Highlights of the contract include annual cost savings of nearly 20 percent and performance guarantees on the quality of services. The city maintains ownership of equipment and facilities and regained control over water and sewer rates.
The Monmouth-EMC partnership helped the city begin a recovery from years of financial difficulties. It was a crucial component of a long-term strategy devised to provide financial stability, improve the quality of services, reduce costs and enhance the city's economic competitiveness. The success of the agreement shows that innovative public-private partnerships occur in small communities as well as large cities.
|
