After merging jails, schools and emergency services over the past three decades, the city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County also should combine their tax collections, court clerks and even major departments such as police, fire and parks, according to Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield.
“We’re a growing and changing community, and we can’t afford to continue to operate with all of these overlapping and disjointed services,” Mr. Littlefield said. “I don’t think there is anything as important for our future as the consolidation of government services and, ultimately, the consolidation of government itself.”
Hamilton County leaders say they are open to talking about efficiencies through consolidation. But they remain to be sold by Mr. Littlefield on most of his proposed consolidations and are wary about any total merger of the city and county governments.
METRO COUNTIES IN TENNESSEE* Nashville-Davidson County, approved by voters in 1962* Lynchburg-Moore County, approved by voters in 1987* Hartsville-Trousdale County, approved in 2000Source: Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations
“In my opinion, it’s sweet to talk about,” said Hamilton County Commission Chairman Curtis Adams, who met with city and county leaders once in February for a preliminary discussion. “But I don’t think anything is going to end up being consolidated — not in my lifetime.”