City, county leaders weigh in on consolidated Savannah-Chatham government (Pooler: house, school districts)

[Airforceguy]

Hopefully, the city and county do merge. A consolidated Savannah-Chatham would be better for everyone.

This comes as state representatives in the Savannah area hope to launch a study into consolidating the entire government bodies.

Any decision on becoming one government would be up to the voters. A ballot approval would be required to make this a reality. City and county leaders are in favor if it saves money.

"Looking at it in Chatham county, if it could save money, only if it could save taxpayer money, I think it would be money well spent,” Chairman Scott said.

"I think [consolidating] is something we're going to do. I'm not sure about the time frame,” Mayor Eddie DeLoach said. “If the state comes up with the money to fund that study, I'd be glad to spend it to work up that study."

The mayor and chairman are at odds over whether departments within city and county government could merge before a consolidation.

"I'm a proponent of consolidating government, consolidating services,” Scott said. “I think now that there are still opportunities to consolidate a lot of services within Chatham County."

"We all agree to that in principle, but I haven't seen anybody rushing out and lining up from different positions,” Mayor DeLoach said. “We couldn't keep a police force together; we'll have a difficult time keeping anything else together."

Several cities and counties throughout Georgia have merged. Approving the consolidation would only take a majority vote as opposed to two-thirds.

City, county leaders weigh in on consolidated Savannah-Chatham g - WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather & Sports

[Newsboy]

Wait. WHAT?! If they couldn’t make a consolidated police department work, what makes them think an entirely merged government would work?!

[ajc100890]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Wait. WHAT?! If they couldn’t make a consolidated police department work, what makes them think an entirely merged government would work?!

I think a consolidated government would have all new departments, administration, and elected officials. Essentially, if done right, it could clean house and bring in new people.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by ajc100890

I think a consolidated government would have all new departments, administration, and elected officials. Essentially, if done right, it could clean house and bring in new people.

Or it could backfire and do the opposite.

Personally, I'm a fan of consolidated governments as it is intended to cut down on duplicate services and bureaucracy. I'm not entirely convinced that Savannah and Chatham is an area cut out for it though.
For starters, there are populated suburbs like Pooler within Chatham that would remain separate, not to mention awkward boundary lines.

It would be complicated.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by WanderingImport

Or it could backfire and do the opposite.

Personally, I'm a fan of consolidated governments as it is intended to cut down on duplicate services and bureaucracy. I'm not entirely convinced that Savannah and Chatham is an area cut out for it though.
For starters, there are populated suburbs like Pooler within Chatham that would remain separate, not to mention awkward boundary lines.

It would be complicated.

It would be VERY complicated.

[843904]

^Yup & Yup.

Consolidation, as a concept, is great. But it only works in certain areas. It will NOT work in Savannah-Chatham. As an aside, I'd take it a step further and disconnect Savannah city & Chatham county schools from each other.

[J2rescue]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

It would be VERY complicated.

I genuinely don't know what is so complicated about a city count consolidation. Please explain.

[GA Survivor]

It isn't the actual consolidation of the governments. It is the politics and some not wanting to give up their power and control. As well as the issues that have arisen in the police merger, Savannah uses more of the allocated resources than their money pays for. Savannah/Chatham is more difficult since there are quite a few other incorporated cities for a true consolidation plus two independent, private fire departments and a private ambulance service. I can't imagine a vote where even the unincorporated county and city would vote for merger much less 7 other municipalities. I don't think any of us will see it in our life times.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by GA Survivor

It isn't the actual consolidation of the governments. It is the politics and some not wanting to give up their power and control. As well as the issues that have arisen in the police merger, Savannah uses more of the allocated resources than their money pays for. Savannah/Chatham is more difficult since there are quite a few other incorporated cities for a true consolidation plus two independent, private fire departments and a private ambulance service. I can't imagine a vote where even the unincorporated county and city would vote for merger much less 7 other municipalities. I don't think any of us will see it in our life times.

I agree.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by 843904

As an aside, I'd take it a step further and disconnect Savannah city & Chatham county schools from each other.

Not only would that be a disaster, it’s a moot argument because the Georgia Constitution forbids the creation of any new school districts — a law enacted to specifically prevent wealthier WHITE schools from “seceding” and breaking away from poorer minority majority schools, which is epidemic in states like Alabama and many places in the Northeast and Midwest.