Talk of a regional government usually goes nowhere but this latest deal takes one small step in that direction. Officials of the city of Akron have agreed to phase out their division of Weights and Measures. If the city and county councils approve, the county's department will undertake all inspections in Summit. Those departments check everything from gasoline pumps to grocery scales for accuracy. Officials say the county inspectors had to drive through the city every day anyway to get to other parts of Summit County. If this deal is finalized, the only cities in Ohio that maintain their own weights and measures departments will be Columbus and Cleveland.
The Akron Mayor and Summit County executive have each charged a group of managers to examine all their services to look for other ways they can work together to streamline operations.