Consolidated City-County for Sullivan County, Tennessee
Metropolitan Government can be also be called consolidated city-county form of government. A consolidated city-county is a city and county that have been merged into one jurisdiction. As such, it is simultaneously a city, which is a municipal corporation; and a county, which is an administrative division of a state. This is the opposite of an independent city, which is a city that is not located within the boundaries of any county, but is separate from the neighboring county; however, an independent city can also result from the consolidation of a city and a county. The highest concentration of large consolidated governments in the United States is in the lower midwest and upper south, where Indianapolis, Indiana; Nashville, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; Kansas City, Kansas; and Lexington, Kentucky are located.An economic development edge: Having a consolidated government allows the community to react quickly to proposed economic development prospects.
Consolidation could bring the following;
- Economies of scale: Combined purchasing power and efficiency can result in taxpayer savings. For example, public works operations can share machinery, personnel and equipment. Consolidated law enforcement departments may find themselves with the ability to fund additional patrols.
- Less duplication: Cities and counties many times fund similar operations, such as road building, fire protection and solid waste services. With consolidated government, one office would replace two or more.
- Government accountability: One unified government is easier for voters to understand than several local jurisdictions. This increased visibility may better focus public attention on governmental operations.
- Harmony: One government will eliminate some discord, such as annexation disputes, and local planning and zoning issues may be more readily resolved
Check out the following links below for more information.
Consolidated City-County is an excellent source of information that explains the consolidated-city concept and what cities/counties have this form of government.
Why Our Communities Need Consolidation. This booklet will explain how you as a voter, have the power to adopt a Consolidation plan for our communities. You also will learn how to circumvent barriers to Consolidation, including certain bureaucrats, elected officials, and others who may wish to maintain the status quo.
Check out the following link concerning the Louisville/Jefferson County KY Merger and Louisville, KY – So Far, A Major Success.
A Comparative Analysis of City/County Consolidations. An excellent study – a must read. Kingsport is mentioned in the report.