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IL <br />U.righton <br />• May 6, 1988 <br />Commissioner Don Salverda <br />O <br />ti BOARD OF RAMSEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />z Suite 316, Court House <br />St. Paul, Minnesota 55102 <br />Dear Don: <br />t- <br />0 On behalf of the New Brighton City Council, I want to advise you <br />that we are on record, along with the Ramsey County League of <br />Local Governments, as opposing continuance of the Ramsey County <br />Charter Commission's efforts to implement a consultant study of <br />z service consolidation opportunities. I especially want to <br />emphasize that we support valid evaluations of service consoli- <br />dation options. Specifically, we believe that the proposed <br />study is not within the Charter Commission's legislative direc- <br />tive nor is it needed to fulfill the mission of the Commission. <br />Consequently, their actions are now counterproductive. <br />rOur opposition to the proposed issuance of a request for propos- <br />als funded by the Ramsey County Board is based on our belief <br />that the Charter Commission's focus on service consolidation is <br />interfering with their mission. We expected them to address the <br />question of home rule charter powers for Ramsey County. We <br />p would suggest that the absence of reference to any other <br />= substantial discussion by the Commission over the past several <br />O months is reason enough for concern by all persons interested in <br />the charter issue. <br />Opportunities to consolidate or share service costs have been <br />z and will continue to be utilized as a way of life for local <br />government officials. Most governance studies agree that <br />"local" governments are more effective than state and federal <br />levels in delivering services. Consequently, the proposed study <br />is misleading because it implies, by virtue of its sponsorship <br />by the Charter Commission, that substantial taxpayer benefits <br />are available if a charter is approved. It is also too limited <br />in scope, focusing on a relatively small share of total public <br />investment saving opportunity. <br />If we are going to look at service consolidation opportunities, <br />perhaps we should expand the effort and include all levels of <br />governance. Consolidation of the seven metro counties's <br />services is also an option, is it not? Consolidation will con- <br />tinue with or without a charter. <br />Page 32 <br />