The West Virginia Legislature enacted revolutionary Workers Compensation reform in 2005, and we have seen the radical changes with BrickStreet Mutual now up and running. This same body now has established a platform for local government consolidation. Its driving purpose, at least in the short term, is to allow local government to combine and create larger population entities more attractive to national businesses. Many of these businesses are expanding and want to locate or relocate offices, but only in those areas with a threshold population. West Virginia’s current population spread and fragmented local governments keep us from even being considered for such offices according to economic development experts.
The new law, codified in the West Virginia statutes at Chapter 7A-1-2, et seq., did not mandate consolidation, but has provided a step-by-step process to do so and has required the people involved to support such change. Counties can combine, cities can combine and so can cities and counties. We see such combinations throughout our region, such as in Louisville and Charlotte, and the legislature believed significant economic benefits would result here also. We understand that the Bridgeport, West Virginia area is studying the idea closely.
The process begins through the formation of a Charter Review Committee with members from each entity (county and/or city) involved. This committee can be formed by voters signing a petition, or by resolution of the governing bodies of the county or city entities. As a practical matter, county and city leaders must be in favor of the consolidation idea for it to succeed. Their leadership and political bases are critical for success. The committee is established for one year and its first job is to organize itself. A charter then is drafted setting the form and powers of the new entity, public hearings are held and it is put to a popular vote. A 55 percent supermajority vote within the affected cities/counties is required for passage. Rejection results in re-drafting or abandonment of the effort.
Our area delegates and senators supported the bill allowing these combinations and we now have much to discuss as to consolidation. Would a Cabell-Putnam-Kanawha County consolidation benefit your business? What are your current markets? How does local government affect you? Does Huntington have a consolidation partner? Or does Charleston? What problems have to be addressed to make a suitable partner? Who can let go of old alliances, and who can build new successful ones? The 2010 census, which will set metropolitan areas and population statistics for 10 years, nearly is upon us. Stay tuned for more information on this, and keep thinking. Do our local governments need to change to get better? Is this the change that is needed?
