The city of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was nominated to the 2005 ICMA Annual Awards Program for its Consolidated City and County Forensic Laboratory. When it became apparent that both city and county forensic laboratories were less than optimal, the city's Public Safety Department and the Kalamzoo County Sheriff's Department pooled resources to create new public safety headquarters in 2000. Pooled funds allowed the city and county to purchase new forensic equipment and technology; boosted lab response times; and increased productivity.