The department shall assist the political subdivisions and communities of this state, administer programs provided by sections 251.010 to 251.440, encourage local initiative, provide coordination of and liaison with applicable federal and state programs and services, and shall:

(1) Gather and disseminate information and material that may be helpful in the improvement of political subdivisions and communities of this state, including information on available federal and state financial and technical assistance;

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(2) Assist local governments by establishing and maintaining a program of training for local governmental officials and other personnel;

(3) Provide, when requested to do so by a political subdivision, technical and consultative services. Such services may be provided in cooperation with other state agencies or institutions;

(4) Study and recommend to the governor methods of more effectively coordinating the programs of state agencies that affect the development of communities and the operation of political subdivisions;

(5) Encourage and assist local governments to develop solutions of their common problems, through joint service agreements, interstate compacts, and other appropriate means, and to foster common services between the state government and its political subdivisions when such common services offer promise of better services and economy;

(6) Carry out continuing studies, research and analysis of problems faced by the political subdivisions of the state including studies of the existing legal provisions that affect their structure, operation and financing. In carrying out such studies and analysis, special emphasis shall be given to the problems of metropolitan, suburban and other areas in which economic and population factors are rapidly changing;

(7) Encourage educational institutions in the state to develop research activities and to provide educational programs for state and local governments in order to foster community development;

(8) Exercise the state’s responsibility for administering, supervising, coordinating and generally performing the role of state government as set forth in those federal programs concerning community affairs which are assigned to the department by the general assembly or by the governor;

(9) Supply information, advice, and assistance, when requested, to governmental or civic groups which are studying problems of local government;

(10) Serve as a liaison between local government officials and the governor in formulating policy on state-local matters;

(11) Assist, confer and cooperate with associations and organizations of local government officials;

(12) Establish field offices or otherwise arrange for staff assistants who will be assigned to particular sections of the state within the limits of the appropriations to the department. Such office representatives will seek to expedite and coordinate projects of local interest which involve the state government.