League of Women Voters
of Salina, Kansas

KSAL radio news (2/1/2006)

LEAGUE AND COUNTY DISCUSS CONSOLIDATION

Salina's League of Women Voters sat down with Saline County officials Wednesday morning to discuss issues related to consolidation, which the League is currently studying. They heard the message from County Commissioners and staff that city and county government structures are very different, but both entities are working together in many aspects already.

County Commissioner Craig Stephenson says they need to define what consolidation means. The County and City have many examples of "functional consolidation" such as the jail and emergency dispatch operations, joint projects, and many interlocal agreements.

"Administration or governmental consolidation" would be much more complex. County Administrator Rita Deister says the county is basically a branch of the state, and state statutes give different responsibilities in areas such as taxation and fees. Many county positions and duties are required by the state.

The League will have another public meeting on the issue Thursday night from 7:00 to 8:30 in the Prescott Room of the Salina Public Library. Director of the Kansas Association of Counties, Randall Allen, will discuss a county perspective on consolidation.