Contract services (or contracted services) are functions performed for a municipality by external organizations rather than municipal employees. Municipalities may contract out services ranging from garbage collection and snow removal to legal advice, engineering, and specialized programs. Contracting decisions involve analyzing whether external delivery is more efficient, cost-effective, or higher quality than in-house provision. Benefits can include accessing specialized expertise, scaling services flexibly, and potentially reducing costs. Drawbacks may include reduced control, dependency on contractors, and loss of in-house capability. Decisions about contracting versus direct provision are often politically charged, particularly when they affect unionized workers.