TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Right now, Leon County staff are generating a memo to Leon County Commissioners about the pros and cons of consolidating Tallahassee’s two local governments.
The idea was rejected by voters by about 60-40, but that vote was in 1992. The county commissioners voted 5-2 earlier this month to authorize a study. A pros and cons list will be given back to the commission in a few months.
In consolidated governments, like in Jacksonville, there is not a separation between city and county governments. In this scenario, the City of Tallahassee and Leon County would become one government entity.
“It’s my opinion that we, as local elected officials, we have a duty to taxpayers. We should look at all options to look at, is the way we’re currently governing, is it the most cost-effective? Is it the most efficient? And ultimately, is it benefiting taxpayers?” said County Commission Chair Christian Caban.
Caban sponsored the motion to start a review and he argues a consolidated government might be more affordable for taxpayers.
“Last time this came to voters was 1992, right? That’s 34 years ago… So much has changed since then. Inflation has gone through the roof, property taxes are what double tripled if not more since then,” he said.
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Not everyone is on board. The Leon County Democratic Party released a statement.
“Consolidation threatens public ownership of critical infrastructure, materially hurts voters of color, and muddies the water on local control when we need solidarity of purpose now more than ever,” the party said in the statement.
Leon County Commissioner Nick Maddox explained his no vote on the study, while County Commissioner Brian Welch explained his yes. Commissioner Bill Proctor was also a yes, and explained his vote below. The other commissions have not yet responded to our request for comment.
In practice, consolidation would take several steps, including a referendum from voters and a bill passed by the legislature and signed into law by the governor.
Statement from Commissioner Nick Maddox
“My ‘no’ vote was about balance, timing, and respect for jurisdiction. Before we consider structural consolidation, I believe we should first maximize functional consolidation — strengthening shared services, interlocal agreements, and coordinated planning where it truly makes sense. That approach preserves accountability, honors the distinct roles of city and county government, and improves efficiency without blurring the lines that protect fair representation, especially for residents outside the city limits.
That said, I remain open to the public’s voice and input on this issue, and I respect that any decision of this magnitude must ultimately reflect the will and best interest of the community.”
Statement from Commissioner Brian Welch
“I’m looking forward to hearing back from County staff on the Pros and Cons of a consolidated government. Given the ongoing issues around Fire Services, I feel like the time is now to once again explore the possibilities.
It could potentially lower the cost of living for our residents while also creating a more functional and representative municipal governing structure. I think our community deserves to have that conversation.”
Statement from Commissioner Bill Proctor
“The ACLU lawsuit filed against the fire policies of the City of Tallahassee is an explosive ticking financial time bomb like the one that exploded against the City of Ocala. The ACLU is a formidable plaintiff respected by Courts universally.
There is a crisis in confidence toward the City of Tallahassee Government that started with the FBI saga investigating City officials several years ago. The criminal culture and flawed ethics of some city leaders fostered public doubt in the city government.
The staggering $100 million increased costs of the police headquarters have disturbed this community. The constant 3-2 split of the City Commission erodes the public’s confidence in all City Commission votes. No one seriously embraces these 3-2 votes as independent thinking detached from Dailey. Consider the mishandling of the TMH sale to FSU outside of the public’s view further strains the people’s confidence in City Hall’s integrity. The Capital City Country Club Owners’ request to buy the 18-hole golf course in Myers Park on their terms has again frustrated public trust.
For sure, if state voters eliminate local property taxes, then our community will face serious consequences in the services we maintain. As a matter of affordability, is it cheaper to pay one government or to pay two governments for services?
The County Commission seeks cogent analysis of the multiple fiscal dynamics that face us through pending legal decisions and voter preferences to eliminate property taxes.”
Statement from Leon County Democrats
“At the end of the day, dissolving our City is an idea whose time has not come and never will in Tallahassee. At a time when cities and urban life are under attack from extremists in Washington and Tallahassee, the people of Leon County are unified in their belief we should not disenfranchise Black residents and slash even more public services and employment that are the backbone of who we are as a community. Our unique single-city County highlights the need to protect Home Rule and municipal services even more. We do not want to make the same mistakes as Jacksonville, where promises of urban renewal and benefits for the Black community are seen as casualties of a divisive experiment. Addressing affordability starts with investing more in ways we can help folks in need— we cannot slash and burn our way to affordability. We must invest and support our public institutions. Consolidation threatens public ownership of critical infrastructure, materially hurts voters of color, and muddies the water on local control when we need solidarity of purpose now more than ever. No one we’ve heard from supports any such plan besides a few developer interests who supported the last failed right-wing push on the issue and those with understandable short-term interpersonal critiques of the City, which will soon change with a new administration at City Hall. These machinations being floated in elite circles would be myopic, dangerous for the public interest, and a betrayal of Black voters. The Leon Democratic Party will fight any effort to distort our local political representation in the age of Trump.”
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