It was good that the government leaders for Albert Lea and Freeborn County met earlier this month and have formed the intentions to meet again every six months.

Perhaps now is a good time for city and county to consider where they can share resources. Right now, Albert Lea has no mayor, no city manager and no finance director. Freeborn County is down to four commissioners. In business, when there happens to be high turnover in a short time or key employees leave, it presents the opportunity to rearrange work duties.

Sharing of resources has been suggested by leaders in the past, and some already is done — such as information technology and law enforcement.

But with cuts in state aid and a poor economy raking in fewer tax dollars, the city and county could look at sharing some administrative resources, road-maintenance resources, waste-disposal resources and other areas.

Should there be a joint county-city manager? Finance director? These are options worth consideration.