In Pontoon, we have been annexing the land we can that is an island completely surrounded by the village now. It has angered some, but we feel there is something to offer with Police protection, discounted trash service and discounted electric rate.
There is def overlap at the township/village/county level. If the township went away, the county would need to pick up their services (for areas not in the village). The village would need to add some (big trash pick up, mosquito spray, relief fund). I feel if everyone got together for these 3 groups, it could happen. not sure that the 3 will get together. I wish The village could do the same a Granite did with the township. If an area is annexed into GC, the township is switched to GC also. I do not get into the township part of the government very often, I leave it to those officials...
I don't see any way to merge all those cities together, its a logistical nightmare and certain areas (basically all of them ) think they are better than the others, which in reality, we are all very similar...
Not sure that i answered what you were looking for exactly, but I do believe something could be done to shrink the overlap of services