Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 17, 1995 TAG: 9503170012
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The city and county released figures this week showing how much consolidation has cost so far - about $45,000, the bulk of which has been paid by taxpayers in Bedford.
Since last year, Bedford County has spent about $15,000 - and $11,000 of that was legal fees paid to its county attorney.
But Bedford, with only 6,600 residents compared with the county's 50,000, has spent $30,000 so far - most of it also in legal fees.
That's about $5 for every man, woman and child in Bedford - and the cost will grow.
By City Manager Jack Gross' estimate, the city may end up spending as much as $150,000 - $23 for every city resident - by the time the proposal reaches voters.
Consolidation supporters say the $45,000 spent so far is a bargain, compared with the prospect of losing Bedford County's Forest community to Lynchburg if a state moratorium on annexation expires. Lynchburg would not be able to annex from a consolidated city and county.
"The Jefferson Magisterial District, which includes Forest and Boonsboro, contributes about 37 percent of the county's taxes," said county Supervisor Gus Saarnijoki. "That's a sizable chunk of the tax base. You lose that, and you lose a fair portion of your revenue."
Anita Garner, who started the petition that forced the city and county to come up with a merger plan, spoke along similar lines.
"If the Forest area represents one-third of the county's $60 million revenue, then I'd say it's a terrific investment" to prevent the loss of Forest to Lynchburg, she said.
Supporters also point out that if consolidation passes, it would eliminate costly annexation battles between city and county.
Under the merger proposal, Bedford, which would become a "shire," could annex land by ordinance from the county, which would become a city.
But while merger supporters adamantly defend the cost of consolidation as an investment in the future, detractors think it's too much to spend on an idea that may never come to pass.
John Sublett, a candidate for the Board of Supervisors who questions the consolidation agreement, believes a merger plan could have been developed more cheaply if the public had been allowed to give input.
And he's not alone in criticizing the merger plan.
Del. Lacey Putney, I-Bedford, has received a deluge of complaints and inquiries from voters.
The most common complaint, Putney said, is that the merger is not a true merger. The city and county governments essentially are only changing names, they say, and they don't see what the savings will be to them.
But Bedford County Administrator Bill Rolfe said, "It may not be as complete a consolidation as some people want, but when you have two local governments forced by the people to come up with a merger agreement, it's a no-brainer to realize it's going to have to be a compromise situation."
Putney said, "There is a good bit of resistance to this proposal, and if the consolidation question is going to pass a referendum in November, a tremendously effective education program will be necessary."
The city and county have set up a series of presentations about the consolidation plan at various locations over the next month. But Putney said that may not be enough to get the merger to pass. The plan also may need some redrafting.
The General Assembly last month passed a bill to allow the consolidation vote. But since then, Putney said, he's received numerous complaints from voters criticizing the way merger would treat some constitutional officers.
Under the present version of the consolidation plan, the next terms of office for the county sheriff, commonwealth's attorney, county treasurer and county commissioner of revenue, all due to be elected this year, would be cut in half. The one-time change would aid in the transition from county to city election cycles.
Putney talked county and city officials into drafting an amendment that would allow the constitutional officers to hold a longer term of office. The amendment also would phase out the city treasurer and commissioner of revenue.
Putney has asked Gov. George Allen to attach the amendment to the consolidation bill when he signs it next month.
by CNB