DOWNTOWN TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Leon County voters will be able to weigh in on whether they are in favor of potential City of Tallahassee-Leon County consolidation this November during the midterm elections.
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In a 6-1 vote on Tuesday afternoon, Commissioners voted in favor of adding this referendum to the ballot.
Resolution Alternative #2
Ballot Title
Advisory Referendum to Pursue a County-City Consolidation Plan Under Leon County Government Structure and Leadership
Ballot Summary
Shall Leon County pursue development of a plan to consolidate the governments of Leon County and the City of Tallahassee into a single consolidated government, under the Leon County government structure and leadership, through the constitutional process requiring a special act of the Florida Legislature and voter approval? This nonbinding referendum only gauges voter sentiment and does not create a consolidated government.
☐ YES – For the advisory proposal
☐ NO – Against the advisory proposal
Commissioners in favor of the motion said they wanted to hear from the public on the issue.
"I think it will inform us local officials very well about what folks want," Commissioner Brian Welch said.
Commissioner Caban said the results of the straw poll would guide next steps.
"If this comes back and voters don't want it, then I think it's pretty clear that voters don't want it. If this comes back with overwhelming majority, then I think it's worth us pursuing the conversation," Caban said.
Commissioner Carolyn Cummings voted in favor of placing the question on the ballot but said she opposes consolidation itself, citing concerns that employees could lose their jobs without any improvement in efficiency.
"I will support referendum on the ballot for citizens to weigh in on this motion but the underlying motion is against consolidation," Cummings said.
Commissioner David O'Keefe cast the lone dissenting vote, citing fears of opening up the county to state input.
"My concern is, and I want to know, to the extent we pursue consolidation and have to get something form the legislature, what kind of influence might that open the door to our local government structure from the legislature," said O'Keefe.
Depending on the result of the straw poll, the County would need the state legislature to pass a bill to put consolidation back on the ballot for a formal vote.
Consolidation has failed four times on past Leon County ballots with the most recent failure in 1992.
ABC 27 recently spoke with Sam Staley, Director of the DeVoe Moore Institute at Florida State University. Staley said the history of consolidation shows the approach must be strategic, or a boost in efficiency does not materialize.
"So, there's a lot of opportunity with consolidation to rethink how services are provided. In reality, they're not rethought," Staley said. "So that's one of the reasons why a lot of times you don't get the same services or the same level and quality of services for a lower cost per unit."
Staley added that any consolidation effort requires careful planning.
"So, if there is consolidation, you have to be paying very close attention to what you're consolidating at what level," Staley said.
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