Most cities in America today operate in a fragmented metropolitan system in which they compete with each other for residents and employers in much the same way that private companies compete for customers. Cities regularly seek out opportunities to meet the rising expectations of their residents for both higher services and lower property tax rates. One way cities can achieve cost savings is to cooperate with other cities in the delivery of goods and services. Such efforts often can improve the quality of the services being provided and reduce costs by taking advantage of economies of...