Image courtesy office of Jerry Moran

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, co-chair of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus, has introduced legislation to expand how Department of Defense (DoD) base commanders work with local communities through intergovernmental service agreements (IGSAs).

IGSAs allow military installations to partner with nearby communities on shared services and projects, creating cost savings and strengthening local ties. However, current law restricts these agreements to ten years, limits funding sources, and blocks collaboration between different agencies. Sen. Moran’s bill would lift those restrictions, making IGSAs more flexible and beneficial for both the military and surrounding communities.

Sen. Moran pointed to a recent IGSA between Fort Riley and a local school district as a model for success. That partnership supported two major barracks renovation  projects, saving the Army around 50% in project costs and cutting procurement time by over 80%. It also provided workforce stability for Geary County Schools and funneled more than $14 million back into the local school system.

The proposed changes aim to strengthen military-community cooperation, improve efficiency, and ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely.