(1)__Studies to examine alternative methods of achieving collaboration, including those adopted by other municipalities;

(2)__Cost-benefit studies; and

(3) Facilitation of community meetings and public outreach and education.

B.__Eligible costs for a cooperative services grant includes the expense of:

(1)__Execution and implementation of an interlocal agreement under chapter 115, a tax base sharing arrangement or another regional government mechanism for achieving collaboration;

(2)__Joint strategic planning or comprehensive or capital investment planning;

(3)__Public outreach and education;

(4)__Collaboration or consolidation of offices or services;

(5)__Professional services, such as those provided by attorneys, consultants, facilitators and architects; and

(6)__Administrative services and costs, such as photocopying, printing, telephone service and travel costs.

Administrative and other costs of ongoing operations that would otherwise be budgeted by a municipality, county or regional government subdivision are not eligible costs.

6.__Fund.__"Fund" means the Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Local and Regional Services established by section 5681, subsection 3.

7.__Planning grant.__"Planning grant" means a grant award from the fund pursuant to section 6208 to cover eligible costs of developing a qualifying project for a cooperative services grant.

8.__Qualifying project.__"Qualifying project" means a project designed to achieve significant and sustainable savings in the cost of delivering local and regional governmental