Rock Island and Arsenal Solidify Partnership with Service Agreement

Photo By Kelcy Schroder | U.S. Army Garrison Rock Island Arsenal Commander Col. Joe Parker and Rock Island Mayor Ashley Harris sign a nearly $40 million contract. This agreement tasks the city's Public Works department with providing comprehensive road and grounds maintenance for the federal installation.  

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES

04.08.2026

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Garrison Rock Island Arsenal

In a move celebrated as a testament to a flourishing relationship, the City of Rock Island and the Rock Island Arsenal have officially entered into a decade-long Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA).

The nearly $40 million contract, signed by U.S. Army Garrison Rock Island Arsenal Commander Col.Joe Parker and Rock Island Mayor Ashley Harris, tasks the city's Public Works department with providing comprehensive road and grounds maintenance, including mowing and snow removal services, for the federal installation.

This agreement marks a significant expansion of the partnership between the city and its historic military neighbor.

“This is our fourth or fifth intergovernmental service agreement with the city of Rock Island, they've been phenomenal community partners,” said Parker. “At the end of the day, what this is all about is increasing community partnership and it really entrenching and recommitting ourselves through our communities.”

The city anticipates receiving approximately $3.9 million annually for the services rendered.

“We always look forward for the opportunity to be deeper embedded with one another, and this is just a small example of that,” said Harris. “The Arsenal has been here for a great number of years, and the city Rock Island would like to partner with them even further to strengthen the community.”

To meet the demands of this expanded role, Rock Island will be making a significant investment in its own infrastructure and workforce.The city plans to purchase $1.5 million in new equipment and hire nine additional public works employees.

These new resources will not only service the Arsenal but will also be available to assist with municipal tasks such as tree trimming and pothole patching when not engaged on the island.

This agreement is the latest in a series of successful collaborations that have proven mutually beneficial.The partnership began in 2019 with a contract for trash pickup. While that contract is no longer in use, additional IGSAs followed for water services and wastewater collection maintenance, fire extinguisher supply and maintenance and a radio maintenance agreement.

Intergovernmental Support Agreements are a tool authorized by Congress in 2013 to allow military installations to partner with local and state governments for a wide range of support services.

These agreements are designed to enhance mission effectiveness, create efficiencies, and generate cost savings for the Department of War.
By leveraging the existing capabilities of local municipalities, military bases can streamline operations and reduce administrative burdens.

The Government Accountability Office has reported that IGSAs have generated millions of dollars in benefits for the armed services, including both financial savings and non-financial advantages like improved community relations and mission readiness.

The success of past and present agreements has officials on both sides looking forward to future opportunities for collaboration.

This latest, most substantial agreement solidifies a partnership that serves as a model for how military installations and their host communities can work together for the betterment of both.

• Date Taken: 04.08.2026
• Date Posted: 04.08.2026 14:56
• Story ID: 562262
• Location: ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, ILLINOIS, US