A report commissioned by the Martha’s Vineyard and Dukes County commissions analyzing the delivery of public services on the Vineyard suggests the six Island towns should consider combining some departments and services, mostly to save money.

But the 29-page report, prepared by Edward J. Collins of the Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston, makes few specific recommendations and takes no position on the issue of regionalization.

“Local and regional government services on Martha’s Vineyard have been fashioned in response to the needs of its residents, visitors, and financial capabilities very well in the past. Many of these services reflect the Island’s unique geographical, destination and population interests,” the report says.

The study cost $10,000 and was paid for with a grant received by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission from the Department of Housing and Community Development.

The study grew out of a discussion last year by the all-Island selectmen about towns joining to provide certain services, a topic that has taken on more relevance lately with strained budgets and disappearing state aid.

The primary focus of the study was to perform an inventory of existing services on the Vineyard and prepare a list of services delivered by public entities. Data from the state Department of Revenue was used, as well as interviews with public officials in the six Island towns.

The study reports that the Island, with a total year-round population of 15,444, spent just over $45.3 million for all its services in fiscal year 2008. The six Island towns spent $22.5 million — about half their total combined budgets — on regional services, including the high school, Martha’s Vineyard Commission and Dukes County retirement plan.

The study also provides a list of services currently provided by individual towns, with recommendations for areas that could be handled by regional agencies or partnerships among towns. They include assessing, inspections (building, gas, electrical and plumbing), boards of health, police, fire, ambulance, animal control and shellfish.

The study finds that towns spend a total of $1.05 million on assessing, while five of the six towns use the same Vision Appraisal software.

Towns spend just over $6.8 million on police, with 69 full-time employees; the study notes that Tisbury and Oak Bluffs have previously discussed a combined police force. Aquinnah has also had a department of revenue review of its police services, according to the study.

The study finds towns spent around $728,000 on health services, and just over $890,000 on fire departments. “All towns have a part-time chief and volunteer staffing. Greater coordination is possible in this area,” the report says.

“Priority should first be given to the financial functions, especially assessing,” the report states.

The all-Island selectmen were scheduled to meet last night and were expected to discuss the recent report.

County manager Russell Smith said the report indicates that overall quality of public services on the Vineyard is high.

“If you read through it you will find that we do a pretty good job,” he said. “But I do think it indicates there are areas where we can take a more regional approach. I know that’s not always easy on the Vineyard, but I think that is the direction we are heading. Every year state funding goes down, and the cost of doing business goes up.”

Martha’s Vineyard Commission executive director Mark London said towns should consider all options.

“It is something I think towns will be talking a lot about in the coming years . . . and with this report at least they will have much of the information they need in one place,” he said.