League of Women Voters
of Salina, Kansas

Making the case for a study
County commissioners raise good questions; they should join the search for answers

Tom Bell, Editor & Publisher
Salina Journal

Saline County Commissioner Craig Stephenson is correct in questioning the public's support for consolidating part or all of city and county governments. He is right when he says that a recent poll by the League of Women Voters, which showed support for consolidation, was not conducted in a scientific manner and should not be relied upon for important decisions.

Stephenson also is correct when he says that few showed up when the League conducted forums on consolidation. (We'll add here that poor attendance also is seen at public meetings like those held by county and city commissions and school boards. It is difficult to determine public opinion when few citizens provide input.)

For her part, Commissioner Sherri Barragree said there is a lot of confusion about county government. It is difficult, she said, to educate the public on county responsibilities and how they differ from the city's.

Stephenson and Barragree made their comments during a Monday county commission meeting, when League representatives asked commissioners to participate in a city-county task force to study consolidation. The city commission earlier expressed support for the task force.

The county commissioners' comments were skeptical. But they also are legitimate. And they show exactly why it is important that a joint city-county task force study consolidation.

The task force could determine if consolidated services would be more efficient. It could explore ways to measure public support for changes in city-county government.

It also could review model legislation developed by the Kansas Association of Counties, which would remove state barriers to consolidation and allow a consolidated government to remain both a city and a county to legally handle functions assigned by the state.

There are other concerns and questions -- shared by lots of us -- that can be addressed by a task force. That's why it is such a good idea, and that is why county commissioners should join the city in a study effort. However, they don't sound too enthusiastic about the idea.

Members of the public can offer their opinion when commissioners meet at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Room 107 of the City-County Building. We hope lots of people show up with their own concerns and questions. And we hope commissioners join the task force so all of us can get some answers.