Wichita - Sedgwick County Merger

[Veritas]

Interesting move happening throughout the country. Cities and counties are merging saving $$$ on over-lapping services. Louisville did this a few years back. In light of of the constant bickering between county and city commissioners, perhaps this is the way to go.

If Wichita/Sedg County merged, Wichita would take over KC at #35 which could help attract new business/conferences, etc...

Also... does Kansas really need 105 counties?

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-05-25-city-county-mergers_N.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_population

http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/CO-EST2009-01.html

[BOBB]

The basis for conventions and business is metro area, not the size of the incorporated city/county. Kansas City would remain significantly larger (not to mention hotels, convention space,restaurants). Merger might not be bad, but the size of the Wichita "market" would be unaffected.

[Veritas]

I thought the same way you did, until the Louisville/Jefferson County merger. They have seen an increase in business development, jobs, and even convention and tourism. Most of it due to the metro area having one voice (remember the conflict re the coliseum v IBA).

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2008/04/14/story8.html

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002-11-03-louisville-usat_x.htm

[Veritas]

Ran across this article while in Las Vegas. Looks like another city is pushing for a merger of at least a lot of duplicate services.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/consolidation-of-valley-government-revisited-96492189.html

[pogo]

The city and county have been trying to merge some services for several decades to save money. We still have what we have due to turf battles and the good old boy attitude.