The Albert Lea City Council and the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners should give greater consideration to the idea of combining the position of city manager with the position of county administrator.

In tight times, it seems reorganization of government at any level is a difficult step for politicians to even consider, let alone take. And the opportunity doesn’t come along often. Now is the time to look.

We aren’t saying go ahead and do it, but we are saying there ought to be greater exploration of the idea. Would combination of the administrative staff also aid in the serving the public’s needs? How much would be saved in payroll that could go toward a police position or for the sake of cutting back on spending?

With nothing but cutbacks in the foreseeable future, it is easy to see that more and more cities and counties will need to find ways to work together. Money-saving steps taken now would be seen as prudent and farsighted by future leaders.

Leaders at school boards are willing to consolidate schools for the benefit of educating children. School districts indeed are a form of government. Meanwhile, cities and counties rarely consider similar steps for the sake of their taxpayers. Freeborn County and Albert Lea already deserve kudos for the combined police station.

Let’s consider more sharing ideas like that when opportunity knocks. Let’s consider sharing administrations.