There has been discussion for a while about consolidating certain city and county services.

People have talked about combining the police department and the sheriff’s department. Proposals have been made to join city and county waste disposal in order to perhaps get better service and pricing.

I am sure there are other areas where the city and county could work together also, although I am not sure if there would be an improvement in either service or value.

After reading and hearing about the behavior exhibited at some of the board of aldermen meetings, the most recent one in particular, I think the board members should be the first to be consolidated with a county entity.

Just think about it. Do away with the board of aldermen, then give each county district two seats to be filled by the two candidates receiving the most votes in each district. And I am only saying that to let some of the alderman think they might have a chance to keep a job. One member per district would be fine with me.

This way we would instantly save money on salaries. There would only need to be one meeting place for the board, which would save money on utilities and upkeep. And people like me, who live just outside the city limits, would be able to vote for someone that makes decisions concerning the city that affect me also. Lets face it, if you live in Adams County, things that affect the city affect you also.

Then the one board could seriously look at areas where consolidation might make sense. Two separate boards will never be able to agree on something like that.

It might be too much to hope that one board might be able to.

Oh well. Wishful thinking I know. But it would be nice if some board members who decided to walk out of meetings would just keep on walking.

 

Scott Manoley

Natchez resident