Leon County voters rejected a proposal Tuesday to pursue consolidation of Tallahassee and Leon County governments, marking the fifth time voters have opposed efforts to merge the two governments.
The nonbinding straw ballot failed with 68,627 voters (60.51%) opposed and 44,792 (39.49%) in favor.
The proposal asked whether the county should develop a plan to combine city and county governments under Leon County’s governmental structure and leadership.
Any consolidation would require approval by the Florida Legislature and a subsequent voter referendum.
Voters previously rejected consolidation proposals in 1971, 1973, 1976 and 1992. The 1992 proposal failed by a 60% to 40% margin, nearly identical to Tuesday’s result. Historical opposition has centered on concerns about rural representation, taxation, law enforcement and the distribution of government services.
Supporters have argued consolidation could reduce duplication and improve government efficiency.
The latest rejection comes despite existing cooperation between city and county governments through shared planning, economic development, emergency dispatch and Blueprint programs. Unlike previous binding consolidation referendums, Tuesday’s advisory vote did not propose a specific consolidation charter.
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