Show More Cities and Count s Combine Buying Agencies Faced with the necessity of of stretching their dollars in the face tace of ot rising costs more cities and counties are centralizing their buy buy- buying ing in order to purchase in large lots at lower costs At least cities have centralized their purchasing responsibilities Generally the centralized purchasing purchasing pur pur- chasing departments procure materials ma ma- supplies equipment and services required for the housekeeping housekeep ing functions of ot the entire city rather than letting each department fill its needs Independently Cooperative purchasing with other I units of ot government also often otten result result re re- re- re I sult suit in substantial savings for tor I cities Typical of ot this sort of ot arrangement arrangement ar ar- ar Is that of Cincinnati with Hamilton county the board of education and the municipal uni uni- university university I and the public library In buying coal oil oD soap and paint Similarly University City Mo and its school board have recently entered Into an agreement for tor the joint purchase of ot supplies Among the items' items being purchased jointly I are duplicating supplies f fuels and electrical supplies I |