LEGISLATURE WILL CONSIDER CONSOLIDATION MEASURES

(01/13/2005)

The WV Legislature is being asked to consider three different bills to help municipalities and counties share services or combine to improve their economic prospects. The proposals are from the Commission on Governing in the 21st Century and would allow municipalities or counties to consolidate. The draft legislation would not mandate such changes, but it would allow them to make changes without requiring amendments to the state constitution. Commission members are reporting the findings to Governor Wise, who created the panel. The commission included lawmakers and local and county officials from across the state as well as citizen members. There were no members from rural, small populated counties. Several of the Commission leaders has said it is foolish to continue to maintain 55 county governments and 55 county school systems, indicating consolidation would provide better management and save the taxpayers money. Consolidation projects so far in West Virginia have cost the taxpayers more money.

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