Go ahead -- call us impatient. But it's taking an awfully long time for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, both run by Democrats, to make those money-saving consolidations.

We're not talking about that big leap forward when both governments are merged into one, although it will be a great day if that ever arrives. We mean the combination of operations that lend themselves to greater savings and efficiency. Like the 911 emergency system. Like joint purchasing.

Last week officials said they were discussing a draft agreement to move the city's financial management to the county's software platform -- all well and good, and we commend those leaders who have worked to bring the systems together. But the idea has been in the works for at least three years.

Given its financial predicament, the city has floated radical ideas to generate more revenue: a tax on college tuitions, a 50-year lease on city-owned parking facilities, a tax on sugared soft drinks. Far less creativity would be needed on the taxes front if far more effort were put into merging city and county operations -- in parks, public works and other big-ticket programs.

Actually, we're glad that the two financial systems are about to be merged. But on bigger consolidations it's time for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to step up their game.

Cartoonist Rob Rogers does "Rob's Rough," an early look at his work and his creative process, exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.