The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-03-11
CONSOLIDATION
BILLS BEFORE
CO N MITTEE
Three Measures By Sena.
tor Aikens Contain
Broad Powers
The 'Times-News Bureau
.. Sir, Walter Hotel

'-hN "dibSA iA"ICt
RALEIGH. March 11.-Broal
powers of consolidation and an
nexation are given local govern
ment units of North Carolina
whenever the voters Of both units
express their approval at the polls,
under three bills introduced in the
general assembly by Senator
Aiken of Cabarrus, and which are
now in the hands of judiciary
committee No. l. There has been
an increasing demand for legisla-
ton of this sort by local govern
ment experts and since the Aiken
bills merely outline plans by
which these consultations may be
effected, they will encounter very
little opposition either in commit
tee or on the floor of the assem-
bly,, il is believed here.
The matter of county and cOun-
ty-city consolidation has been bob
bling up at every session OF the
general assembly in recent years,
but has never resulted in consoh-
dations. This has always been
prevented by local politics and q
certain local pride. This year,
however. the movement for COLI
solidation has been stronger than
usual, due to the general trend to-
ward economy. and several bills
permitting the consolidation OF
municipal and county governments
have already been passed by the
house. One Of these bills consoli-
dates the governments of Whining
ton and New Hanover county, and
the other merges the governments
of Durham and Durham county.
The Aiken bills leave the way
clear for counties to consolidate
at any time the governing bodies
of any two contiguous counties
adopt a uniform resolution favor
ing such a plan, and call a special
election to decide on the issue.
The two counties may either con-
solidate, or one of the counties
may annex the other. Or the coun-
ties may merely enter into All
agreement to perform certain or
all functions of government with
out losing their identity.
The effect of these bills is that
at any time in the future the coun-
ties or cities may consolidate with
ont waiting for the legislatures
arnroval. as is now the case.
Whenever the governing units Of
both counties adopt resolution
favoring consolidation, an election
can be called right away, and if. a
majority of the voters of both
counties approve the plan, it can
be put into effect Immediately. y
In cases where the voters ap-
prove consolidation. the county
boards of education of the two
counties will serve jointly until
the expiration Of their terms, and
will be required to call a special
election within 60 days to- elect
constitutional and other county
and township officers. including s
board of county commissioners
consisting of five members. Most
of the counties now have only
three county commissioners, and
the five-commissioner plan is rec
commended by local government
experts.
The new officers of the consoli-
dated county will serve only until
the next general election. In case
of the consolidation of counties
which lie in separate judicial dis
tricts. provision Is made in the
Aiken bills for the new county 20
become a part Of the judicial dis
trict in which the larger portion
of its territory lies. The annexa-
ton plan is governed by virtually
the same regulations, it also re-
curing a majority vote of the two
counties.
However, contiguous counties
may enter into a written agree
ment for the joint performance of
any function of government with
out the calling of an election.
These agreements, however. are
goo dior only two years, but can
be renewed at the expiration OF
that length of time: A county and
a municipality can enter into the
same agreement. as well as two
counties. 1t is estimated by Sen.
ator Aiken that important econc'
mics can be effected by this ar
rangement without either county
losing its identity or changing it.