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 Today's Editorial
Look who’s talking
County, city commissioners pull up chairs and have a chat; the
‘C’ word comes up
Salina and Saline County officials
met Monday afternoon to discuss areas where the two governments
could work together more closely. It was nothing short of
historic.
This was the first public meeting in anyone’s
memory where the two bodies talked about additional ways to work
together — and where the word “consolidation” was spoken openly. At
least two city commissioners said consolidation was bound to
happen.
For now let’s put all that “C” word talk aside, and
point out areas where the two commissions agreed to explore further
cooperation.
• Comprehensive planning: By approaching
this topic together the two bodies can help protect certain land
uses, work out ways to deal with increased traffic on county roads
and bridges at the city limits, and plan for potential future
annexation. Multiple agreements between the city and county can be
streamlined.
• Insurance: Pooling health insurance
policies might help control costs by expanding the base of covered
employees. Pooling coverages might reduce general insurance
costs.
• Purchasing: The two bodies can combine items
when seeking bids. The larger volume might mean more savings from
vendors.
• Both the city and county have their own
engineering and human resources departments. Additional cooperation
could prevent duplication.
The cloud hanging over these
discussions is state law, which includes obstructions to
consolidation. One reoccurring comment at the meeting Monday was
whether state law also prevented additional forms of
cooperation.
It is up to the Kansas Legislature to remove
these restrictions on local control. Decisions about city and county
governments must be made by the governed, not by lawmakers who do
not even live within the county’s borders.
That is one reason
to remove these barriers. The other is political. Currently
lawmakers must approve every city-county consolidation effort,
opening the process to horse swapping, influence peddling, lobbying
by special interest groups and other mischief.
New laws to
streamline the consolidation process are gaining momentum in Topeka,
and as shown Monday afternoon, the concept is gaining ground with
local governing bodies.
Both city and county commissioners
should be applauded for that progress. It will lead to improved
efficiently for every local taxpayer.
— Tom
Bell
Editor & Publisher
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