Dayton
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Paul Leonard:
Consolidating government inevitable, so let’s plan for it
Monday, June 20, 2011
This commentary was written by Paul R. Leonard, a former Ohio
lieutenant governor and mayor of Dayton. He was chair of the State and
Local Government Commission during his tenure as lieutenant governor.
I admit it. I am a “regionalist.” But not because I think regional
government will result in a more efficient government.
Quite the contrary. If and when Greater Dayton adopts some form of
regional government, public officials will have to work like they have
never worked before to be seen as efficient, cost-effective and
responsive to taxpayers.
The closer people are to their government, the greater the likelihood
that that government will work. There is no substitute for being able
to run into the mayor at the doughnut shop or the diner. That’s where
voters have a captive audience with their community leaders.
I suspect that getting an appointment with the “regional mayor” to
discuss a neighborhood problem will be less likely if you live in a
remote neighborhood and don’t happen to be a regional bank vice
president. (All the presidents are gone, off in some faraway
headquarters.)
Here’s some advice for those advocating a regional form of government:
Don’t insist that a larger government structure will operate more
efficiently. Though it might turn out that way, virtually no one will
believe you on the campaign trail.
Efficiency is in the eye of the beholder. It comes with time and with
demonstrated proof — if you get the snow removed, keep the alleys clean
and cut the weeds in the parks.
The default position for most voters is that government is incapable of
operating efficiently, no matter its size. That will be the foremost
challenge in any campaign.
So, why am I an advocate for regional governance? We have too much
government in Ohio — too many elected officials at a time when politics
between Republicans and Democrats is more divisive and personal than
ever.
Meanwhile, the cost of government is becoming intolerable. The last
school levy elections (where so many were defeated) were not a blip on
the radar screen. People who have always supported school levies just
can’t afford to pay more taxes.
Ohio has more than 600 school districts in 88 counties. We have more
than 2,000 individual government entities. Although not at the top of
the list, we are high in comparison to other similarly situated states
when it comes to the number of governments, elected officials and
bureaucrats we have. Every government entity has an executive and
workers who have to be paid competitive salaries and benefits.
The question really is this: Do we want to enact a modern, streamlined
form of government and have control of that decision at the ballot box,
or are we going to do nothing — as local governments and school
districts collapse under the weight of increased costs of services and
less revenue?
As time goes on, there will be consolidations and mergers. The only
unanswered question is whether that will that happen in an orderly,
well-planned fashion, with a consensus of the electorate, or whether
the community will lurch from one fiscal crisis to another as
governments literally fail.
Do we want to get ahead of the curve or do we cast our fate to the wind?
The challenges cannot be minimized. There’s profound hostility between
the central city and suburbs. Elective offices (aka politicians) will
have to be eliminated. Tax revenues will have to be equitably invested
in all participating entities. Public employees will have to join the
same team.
What will the new entity be named? Dayton? Montgomery County? Day-Mont?
Centerwood?
For years, “regional cooperation” has been the compromise approach. It
has allowed us to pretend that we are all working together. The truth,
however, is that “regional cooperation” does not substantively address
duplication. Nor does it result in less government. It allows us to
remain parochial.
Finally, in those few areas where communities are working together, we
are not saving enough money to ward off future government/community
bankruptcies.
Dayton has always been recognized as an innovative community. This is
our chance, in modern times, to demonstrate that the spirit of
innovation that has been our gift to the rest of the world is alive and
part of our community makeup.
Read it at the Dayton Daily News
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