Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-13
Local Merger Plan
Proposed in Virginia
Legislative Unit
Offers Program
On Urban Areas

On OTD0n areas
i,
RICHMOND, Dec. 10 (spe-
ciaD A program to make 1t
easier for counties, cities and
towns TO consolidate govern
mental functions was recon-
mended today by the Virginia
Advisory Legislative Council.
The plan is aimed partic-
ularly at fast-growing urban
areas like Northern Virginia.
The VALC recommends further
study of specific areas which
might benefit most from gov
ernmental consolidation.
Three Approaches
Three separate approaches
to consolidation are proposed:
!. Provision for outright mer-
ger OF separate political subs
divisions through a referendum
vote. This authority already
exists. but according to the re.
port, the procedure should be
changed to spell out the refer.
endum requirement.
2. Amendment OF the State
constitution to permit consoli.
dation OF constitutional Offices,
such as treasurers. commissions
ers OF revenue. CommonWealth's
attorneys, clerks of the court,
sherifi's or city sergeants.
3. Adoption of permissive leg
islation allowing local govern-
ing bodies to consolidate Offices
or services other than constitu-
tional Offices. This could in
clude departments of public
works. local police departments
and any other local government
office.
Advantages Pointed Out
The council said such con-
solicitations would promote
economy and efficiency in gov
ernmental operations. while
providing improved services to
the rapidly growing population
in the States urban counties.
The VALC said the geo.
graphic areas IN which con.
solicitations offers the most
promise ought TO be considered
carefully. II recommended
another council study On this
subject. for report TO the 1860
Legislature.
The proposed amendment to
allow consolidation Of consti-
tutlonal Offices would have TO
pass two consecutive sessions
Of the General Assembly and
be approved IN a Statewide
referendum.
The council report noted
that one provision Of existing
law allows consolida ton Of
cities and towns through an
ordinance approved by the
affected governing bodies. It
said this procedure should be
changed TO permit consolida-
ton only after a vote Of the
people.
1t added that the require
ment :o- popular approval Of
consolidation would allav fears
that the way is ooen for
the cities to swallow up the
counties"
Local Control Backed
The council said decisions on
consolidation of nonconstitu-
tional officers and functions
could best be made by town
and city councils and county
boards of supervisors. They
are in a position TO know eff
ciencies in the operations Of
governmental functions can
best be realized" the report
said.
AS to the geographical areas
in which consolidation should
be attempted. the council said
primary considerations should
be given to such factors as
common interest and prob
lens. 1t also said:
such areas could be COM
posed Of localities having SINH
lar geographic conditions. The
consultations within the PEN
insula area point up the type
of areas envisaged." The cities
Of Newport News and Warwick
in the peninsula merged this
year.
The report pointed out that
Virginia already has rela-
lively simple governmental
structure with a few overlap
ping layers Of government.
Some States. 1t said. measure
governmental units in the thou
sands and few have as small
a number Of political subdi-
visions as Virginia with %
counties. 80 cities. 22S towns,
and 40 authorities of various
sorts.
None Of this. however,
should blind us 70 the econ
omieS which can be affected
by reducing the number OF gov
ernmental units through con-
solidation. or reducing the
costs of governmental services
by consolidating functions.
Changes Cited
Our governmental structure
was largely established at q
time when transportation and
communication were not as
easy as they are today" the
report said
The VALC said the State had
demonstrated some Of the
economies that can be achieved
by setting up welfare services.
courts and health functions
that serve two or more func-
lions at the same time. II noted
that q number of cities and
counties have formed Joint
school boards.
"Thn DrOprpSS made IN the