Bill calls for government consolidation committee

Senators gave first-round approval Feb. 1 to a bill regarding the potential consolidation of government services in Douglas County.

As introduced, LB344, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford, would have provided a process for consolidating governmental subdivisions in counties that contain a city of the metropolitan class. Currently, Omaha is the state’s only metropolitan class city.

A Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee amendment, adopted 28-0, replaced the provisions of the bill.

As amended, LB344 would require creation of an interjurisdictional planning commission within 90 days of the bill’s passage. The commission would review and plan for the possible merger of governmental services and report their findings to the Legislature.

An amendment offered by Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery and adopted 28-0 would require that a merger plan be developed and approved by the commission by July 1, 2013.

The commission would include two members selected by the mayor of Omaha, two by the Omaha City Council, four by the Douglas County board and one by each of the other municipalities within Douglas County.

Ashford said current state law allows for such a merger and that the state has a compelling interest in encouraging the city and county to explore options for reducing redundant services and becoming more efficient.

“If we adopt that common sense approach to government we can move forward quicker and be a better partner for the rest of the state,” Ashford said. “I think we’re at a point in our history where I think we need to encourage this discussion.”

Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell supported the bill. She said Lancaster County and the city of Lincoln have a long history of joint departments, commissions and task forces that have saved taxpayers a great deal of money.

The Legislature should support efforts to encourage other local entities to explore consolidation, she said.

Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus also supported the bill, saying the Omaha metropolitan area should not attempt to function 40 years from now with the same governmental structures in place today.

Omaha Sen. Bob Krist expressed concern that the bill focused solely on Omaha and Douglas County. Other areas of Nebraska also contain political subdivisions that must coordinate with cities and counties regarding government services, he said.

“I would feel much better if this [bill] would include all counties in Nebraska,” Krist said. “This is not just an Omaha problem.”

The bill advanced to select file on a 30-0 vote.