Sunflower State News

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), co-chair of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus, has introduced legislation aimed at broadening the authority of Department of Defense (DoD) base commanders to enter into intergovernmental service agreements (IGSA) with their local communities.

Currently, IGSAs are limited to ten-year terms, can only be funded through specific sources, and do not permit inter-agency collaboration on agreements involving surrounding communities. The proposed legislation seeks to expand these restrictions, which supporters say would result in cost savings for taxpayers and greater investment between military installations and their neighboring areas.

“Our military installations in Kansas have led the way in demonstrating the value of integrating our military bases with the surrounding community,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation will help reduce costs for the DoD, improve services on the base and increase valuable investments in our military communities.”

An example cited by Sen. Moran is Fort Riley in Kansas, which recently entered into an IGSA with a local school district for two major barracks renovation projects. According to officials, this partnership resulted in about 50% savings on project costs for the Army, more than 80% reduction in procurement time, stabilization of the contract workforce supporting Geary County Schools, and reinvestment of over $14 million back into the school district.

“Intergovernmental support agreements have saved DOD and taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, all the while improving services on our installations that support missions, military families, and the defense communities they call home,” said a supporter. “We appreciate the leadership of Sen. Moran to expand this important authority. It will allow the military and nearby communities find even more partnership opportunities and government efficiencies. This legislation drives home the idea that national security starts at home.”