County Consolidation Proposed

The Legislatures Planning Committee would be tasked with developing a county consolidation plan for Nebraska under a bill heard Jan. 22 by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. LB826, introduced by Omaha Sen. Rich Pahls, would require the Planning Committee to work with county officials and residents to develope a plan to reduce the number of counties to approximately 30 by 2018. There are currently 93 counties in Nebraska. Fewer conties and more online services likely would result in more efficient local government, Pahls said, adding that the Nebraska constitution requires that any consolidation proposal be subject voter approval in each affected county. "My goal with LB826 is to get us started, " he said. "(it) does not say how we are going to accomplish the goal; it begins the process." Richard Goodban of Lincoln testified in support of the bill. There should be criteria required for a county designation, he said, such as a minimum population, a minimum level of service provision or the ability to host a county fair. Larry Dix, executive director of the Nebraska Association of County Officials, opposed the bill, saying there are way s of increasing efficiency at the county level other than reducing the number of counties. Consolidation of services is becoming more common, he said, and is occurring both within and between counties. In 13 Nebraska counties the county clerk also serves as the clerk of the district court, the assessor, the election commission, and the register of deeds, Dix said. Interlocal agreements between counties also save money, he siad, citing the example of Keith County, which dispatches E-911 calls for seven other counties. "It doesn't always make the headlines, " Dix said, " but I think consolidation of services will continue to happen." The committee took no immediate action on the bill.