Gering City Administrator Lane Danielzuk says local government has to "change the way they do business in the next three years" and combine services or they will be in "serious trouble." Danielzuk, who is working with the Scottsbluff and Gering Police Chiefs on a model to merge the police departments in the next two years, told a joint meeting of the twin city councils Tuesday night that given budgetary constraints, moving from three communities (including Terrytown) to one "is the only way to survive."

The law enforcement consolidation is being seen as the model that would lead to additional cooperation between the two cities, and Gering Police Chief Mel Griggs agrees with Danielzuk that getting that model completed in two years is "doable".

Scottsbluff Police Chief Alex Moreno says his conversations with Griggs about "blending" the two police departments started months ago, and believes a number of things are already being done, including a combined impound lot and cooperative investigative services, that are moving the plan in the right direction. County Board Chair Mark Masterton says he wants the sheriff's department also involved in the discussions.

The councils said they would like to form a citizen committee or task force to get public input on areas of cooperations even though a number of suggestions were made Tuesday night, including combining financial management software and conforming each community's ordinances, zoning and policies.