SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5

(By Senators Mitchell and Rowe)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study local government and ways to make it more efficient, less costly and more responsive to the citizens it serves.

Whereas, There have been numerous changes in technology and transportation systems in the state since the formation of the geographical boundaries of the state's counties and the design of our local forms of government; and
Whereas, There may be changes that could be made in the administration and operation of local governing units that would allow the various regions of the state to better address their different local and regional needs by permitting them to use a wider range of resources with greater flexibility in their efforts to formulate local and regional approaches for the delivery of governmental services; and
Whereas, There may be a possibility of increased efficiency and substantial savings of public resources under new, consolidated or modified forms of local government; and
Whereas, It is worth examining alternatives to our existing forms of local government; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to review, examine and study the laws of the state governing the formation and operation of local governmental units; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance make recommendations on how the system of local government may be improved to increase efficiency, improve its responsiveness and reduce its cost to the citizens, including considering the effects of consolidating different units of local government; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2002, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.