In November 2017, the TalChamber Board of Directors voted to commission an independent study on the possible consolidation of Tallahassee and Leon County governments.

The need for a stronger economy and challenging times in the community were cited by the Chamber Board as some of the major impetus to actively consider a structural change in local government

The study focuses on five comparison cities to draw observations about the potential economic development impacts of a merger government in Tallahassee and Leon County. The cities used for this comparative analysis are:

1) Nashville, TN
2) Jacksonville, FL
3) Indianapolis, IN
4) Athens, GA, and
5) Louisville, KY

The study found that each city has experienced various economic benefits since residents chose to consolidate their local governments. Shared benefits across all of these comparative cities include the mitigation of urban sprawl, fiscal efficiencies, and improved business climates.

The cities selected were based on roughly similar socioeconomic characteristics to Tallahassee.

Each city features unique governance models that have been crafted by engaged citizens in an effort to create a better government that generates a more prosperous community.

Consolidation efforts across the country have made many promises, but as the WEG study highlights, the most frequently reliable outcome for successfully consolidated governments has been higher performing economic development efforts.

Of the five comparative consolidated city governments included in the WEG study, they have an average employment and population growth that has exceeded the national average over the past five years. The average employment growth in those
cities exceeds the Tallahassee-Leon County growth rate by nearly four percent.

The study projects that over five years Leon County consolidation could add an approximately 8,000 jobs with a growth in  income of $335 million.

In an “Important Business Alert” email, the Chamber stated:

The Tallahassee community is suffering through a climate of crisis created by a lingering FBI investigation into alleged corruption in local government, coupled with a violent crime rate that is the highest in all of Florida. As a result, public trust and confidence in local government are badly shaken and heavily eroded, and public safety remains a daily priority concern.

Sachs Media Group (SMG) recently released a survey titled “Trust in Local Government and Attitudes Regarding City-County Consolidation.” SMG principal, Ron Sachs, serves on the Chamber’s Business Advocacy Committee.

The survey found that 83% of respondents are very or somewhat concerned with possible corruption at the City Commission level compared to 72% at the County Commission level.

Also, the survey found that 60% believed that city and county lines are irrelevant in their lives and 64% showed some level of support for consolidation.

The Chamber email stated:

Tallahassee Chamber has unanimously voted to authorize and underwrite an independent study to provide insight into the possible consolidation of the City of Tallahassee and Leon County governments. The Chamber seeks a credible, timely, and scholarly study that details the economic and functional impacts of any potential consolidation here. The independent study will be shared with the community upon its completion, which is expected by mid-January, 2018.

The Chamber also said the business group was “committed to working with diverse community partners and stakeholders to examine if a consolidated government can create a higher level of accountability, renewed trust in government, and a single unified structure of governance to represent the best ambitions of our community.”