A newly formed group will study how the city and county of Peoria can combine services and save taxpayer dollars. Mayor Ardis and County Board Chairman Tom O’Neil Thursday announced the creation of PASS Forward. The group will be made up of fifteen area volunteers and will be charged with completing a report on the issue. It will have the help of Bradley University’s Institute of Principled Leadership in Public Service and Caterpillar’s Six Sigma program. Public Affairs Consultant Doug Crew is chairing the group. He says it’s too early to discuss which services could be combined.

CREW: As I look at the project, I think the Six Sigma methodology...you don't want to come up with any particular pre-conceived notions of what the outcome should be. So I think we'll let the process lead us in the direction it does and see what kind of recommendations we come up with.  

Crew says it will take several months for the group to complete the report. It will meet semi-monthly. Meetings will be open to the public.