TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – This Election Day, Leon County residents may get the chance to weigh in on combining county and city governments.
Leon County commissioners are considering a countywide straw poll on consolidating the county and City of Tallahassee governments.
It would not be binding – just a chance for voters to weigh in and the county to get an idea of how people feel.
If approved, the poll would show up on ballots this November.
Wakulla County essentially has a consolidated government, with a few minor exceptions.
Dr. Howard Kessler, former Wakulla County Commissioner said consolidated governments can be a mixed bag, but could have advantages.
“I think there are advantages in certain areas that could be really very good and an elimination of duplicate costs,” Kessler explained. “I think everyone doesn’t like waste and where that can be done, I think those should be the first steps when looking at things that make sense and save money and still allow people to dialogue to possible get to a different place, but at least begin where there’s some cost savings and overall benefit to the community.”
The approach of combining certain areas of the government, but not all is often referred to as functional consolidation, which Kessler said could be beneficial path to take.
“[It could] establish a track record that the City and County can work together in a meaningful way in areas that really benefit the taxpayers and the community,” Kessler said.
The next county commission meeting is next week, on March 10. The commission could adopt the specific ballot language in November that day, alongside a number of other items on the agenda.
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