City/County Consolidation

[redcliffe]

Originally Posted by ruvidu

As long as one property is adjacent to the city and 75% of the other property owners sign on your can annex into most cities in our area. I know that is true in Simpsonville and Ft. Inn.
In Simpsonville the average tax increase you get for coming into the city is less than what you would pay to have your trash picked up. On top of that you get city police service instead of a 1 hour wait for a county deputy.

Interesting, thanks for the info.

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by roadpony

Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC) have had consolidated law enforcement for quite a few years. I've never lived there so I don't know if it's better consolidated than not. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County (NC) have consolidated Planning & Inspections (building permits, etc.). I have lived there and I think it works very well. I don't think, however, that it covers the other incorporated municipalities in Forsyth County.

If it saves taxpayers money and services are run more efficiently it makes sense. If the real reason behind it is "sustainable development" leading to more infrastructure and higher taxes; new fees and higher utilities without any say in the matter (which is what Agenda 21 is all about and ICLEI is the organization helping Greenville to get it in place), I would be STRONGLY AGAINST it. Greenville is a member of ICLEI. So we all need to b e on guard.

The state of Alabama passed a law SB477 keeping Agenda 21 out of their state. VA is trying to get rid of it too. I think every state should. Anyone that believes in property rights and being able to have a say in what goes on in their community/keeping the government and utilities in check would not be a fan of these programs which are all part of Agenda 21 although on the local level they aren't called that.

[scgubers]

Originally Posted by emilybh

If it saves taxpayers money and services are run more efficiently it makes sense. If the real reason behind it is "sustainable development" leading to more infrastructure and higher taxes; new fees and higher utilities without any say in the matter (which is what Agenda 21 is all about and ICLEI is the organization helping Greenville to get it in place), I would be STRONGLY AGAINST it. Greenville is a member of ICLEI. So we all need to b e on guard.

The state of Alabama passed a law SB477 keeping Agenda 21 out of their state. VA is trying to get rid of it too. I think every state should. Anyone that believes in property rights and being able to have a say in what goes on in their community/keeping the government and utilities in check would not be a fan of these programs which are all part of Agenda 21 although on the local level they aren't called that.

Lord Emily, how does Agenda 21 even fit into this topic? Stop throwing it around, especially because you still do not know what Agenda 21 says in context. Drop it. Also God help us if we follow Alabama's legislative path . . .

[NW Crow]

Merger worked pretty well for Lexington KY / Fayette County. I think consolidation should be a major trend in coming decades. Even whole counties in some cases might sensibly merge.