Consolidation of Counties

[evanstrail]

The subject of county consolidation came up during comments about the upcoming legislative coffee.

A couple of articles I have come across on county consolidation:

http://www.dailyyonder.com/brokaw-says-big-counties-cheaper-small-they-arent/2009/04/29/2088

http://crosscut.com/2011/02/01/mossback/20588/The-would-be-county-killers/one_page/

[Janet Harrington]

Here is what the Kansas Constitution says about counties, which is the same thing W. Gray pointed out.

Article 9.--COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION
§ 1: Counties. The legislature shall provide for organizing new counties, locating county seats, and changing county lines; but no county seat shall be changed without the consent of a majority of the electors of the county; nor any county organized, nor the lines of any county changed so as to include an area of less than four hundred and thirty-two square miles. § 2: County and township officers. The legislature shall provide for such county and township officers as may be necessary. § 5: Removal of officers. All county and township officers may be removed from office, in such manner and for such cause, as shall be prescribed by law.

[evanstrail]

Potential Cost Savings From Consolidation of Kansas Counties

Prepared for the Kansas Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Affairs - August 2009

http://www.ksrevenue.org/pdf/ConsReport.pdf

Compares four alternatives:  13, 25, 31, and 36 counties instead of present 105, and includes maps of each one.

[W. Gray]

According to one of those reports, Kansas has 105 counties but only 104 county governments.

I think that has to do with a merger of Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County governments, but would not swear to it.

At any rate, eliminating counties will probably be as difficult as eliminating post offices.