THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, December 13, 1994 TAG: 9412130252
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: KILL DEVIL HILLS LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Riding the November wave of public sentiment for smaller government, the town of Kill Devil Hills on Monday appointed a three-member commission to study the possibility of consolidating some government services with Nags Head.
Kill Devil Hills Mayor Terry Gray named former Mayor Joseph G. Deneke and Commissioners E.M. ``Coy'' Harbeson and Bill Morris to study the issue.
Deneke called on the commission to look into consolidating certain services. The November general election showed that the public favors smaller government, he said.
``The town of Kill Devil Hills has always been progressive and proactive when it comes to matters like this,'' he said.
Deneke cited the criminal investigation divisions of the two municipal police departments as a possible area for combination of services. Such consolidations, Deneke said, could save tax dollars.
The commission was unanimous in its support for the concept of consolidation.
``I think your idea has possibilities,'' said Gray. ``What we have to do is establish a level of service, and look at specific areas that can be combined, while still meeting the service needs.''
Morris said he was ``100 percent in favor'' of a consolidation effort.
``I'm convinced it is the way to go,'' Morris said.
Mayor Pro Tem Duncan Wright said, ``I'm always willing to study new horizons and new technologies. This is something we need to pay close attention to.''
The idea of combining local government services is not new. In the late 1980s, the now-nonexistent Area Development Coordinating Agency studied the possibility of consolidation of municipal services. ADCA was disbanded in 1991, and until Monday there has been little public discussion of consolidation.
``The empire builders and turf protectors have always been against this,'' Deneke told the board. ``This is not something that can be done overnight.'' by CNB