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A Kanawha County Senator says there are too many county governments in
the state, and
will introduce a resolution in the Legislature to study the matter.
Sen. John Mitchell-D says
the 55 county concept goes back to the 1800's when the county seat was
located to be able
to ride a horse to a courthouse and return home within a day.
State School Superintendent David Stewart said "We clearly have some
counties where
having enough funds to provide a quality education is a problem."
Senate Education
Chairman Lloyd Jackson-D from Lincoln asked "Is it efficient to have
55 personnel
directors? Fifty-five budget directors? Fifty-five curriculum
directors?"
Mitchell said small counties are struggling to survive financially,
and consolidation could
save taxpayers anywhere from $50 million to $500 million a year. He
said the proposal is not
new. "It is something a lot of people talk about in the back rooms." A
1989 a consolidation
proposal was soundly defeated by voters 4-to-1.
In a Charleston Gazette story, Mitchell believes his case will become
stronger as smaller
counties are unable to remain financially viable, citing the
speculation that Wirt County may
be forced into bankruptcy this year.
Members of the Wirt County Commission were scheduled to meet today
with Governor Bob
Wise regarding the counties financial future. The meeting was arranged
by Sen. Donna
Boley. | 
