`Answers to consolidation and merger questions`

What the study will entail
Here is what will be part of the merger/consolidation feasibility study about to be conducted by Farrell, Sharon and Hermitage with oversight by the state and Pennsylvania Economy League. The information is provided by Fred Reddig of the state Governor's Center for Local Government Services.

History -- Examine past cooperative efforts, such as Mercer County Regional Council of Governments, Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Department, joint garbage bidding, Shenango Valley Enterprise Zone and other economic development efforts, public awareness and media attention.
Elements -- Examine similarities in police, fire, public works, planning, codes, community development, water, sewer, refuse, recreation and libraries.
Asset and liability inventory -- Identify type and condition of land, buildings, equipment, roads, sewer and water systems, maintenance and replacement schedules, debt issues, pensions, contracts and litigation.
Demographic/economic/fiscal review and comparison to similar units of government -- Examine population characteristics, tax base and assessed valuation, employment, revenues and expenses and tax and fee structures.
Personnel issues -- Examine elected officials, administration, police, fire, public works, community development, planning codes, recreation, utilities and contracts.
Grant and fiscal impact -- Examine entitlement programs, Community Development Block Grants, liquid fuels, storm water management, pension aid, sewage treatment and enforcement, firemen's relief, public utility realty tax, liquor license allocation and library subsidies.
Impact on related units -- Examine authorities, school districts and volunteer fire departments.

Here is information about mergers and consolidations in general and the feasibility study about to get under way by Hermitage, Sharon and Farrell. Answers are provided by Fred Reddig of the state Governor's Center for Local Government Services, and Alan R. Kugler, director of Pennsylvania Economy League's northwest office.

What is consolidation and merger of municipalities?

Reddig: With consolidation, the existing governments end and a new government is established. In a merger, one of the governments remains and the rest end. The state constitution states a merger, consolidation or boundary change must be approved by a majority of the electorate. The legislature created a process for mergers and consolidations in laws passed in 1987 and 1994. The process can be started by elected officials or citizens.

Why aren't the schools involved?

Kugler: School districts and municipalities are separate forms of governments, and a change in the boundary of one does not affect the boundary in the other. Municipalities are sovereign and cannot be mandated by the state to merge or consolidate, while the state has that power over schools. There can be more than one school district within a municipality, although no such arrangements exist in Pennsylvania. If Farrell, Sharon and Hermitage would merge or consolidate, there would be no effect on the school districts.

Do consolidations, mergers and shared services affect a municipality's ability to get state funding?

Reddig: Yes. The state looks at a municipalities partnering history in making investment decisions. "Look at your local COG here," he said of Mercer County Regional Council of Governments. "We've seen that partnering and we've bought into that."

Kugler: When the city of Fairview, Erie County was created by consolidating a borough and township, the state provided $4.5 million for an industrial park.

If consolidation, merger or shared service occurs at the end of the study, will there be state aid to implement it?

Reddig: Yes. The amount would be based on need.

Why weren't Wheatland, Sharpsville or West Middlesex invited to participate in the study?

Reddig: Farrell, Hermitage and Sharon expressed an interest by passing resolutions agreeing to participate. "If anyone else expressed an interest I think the doors are open."

How long will the study take to complete?

Reddig: Probably 1 1/2 to two years.

What happens next?

Over the next month or so, the councils of Farrell and Sharon and Hermitage commissioners will be considering appointments to a merger/consolidation feasibility study committee. Officials informally agreed Thursday the committee would be made up of two elected officials and three residents of each city.

At the same time, Reddig will be working with Farrell to formally apply for study funding, which the state has already agreed to provide. How much to apply for hasn't been determined. They also will develop a request for proposals to hire a consultant to collect the study information and report to the committee, he said.

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Updated Feb. 5, 1999
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