Local Government Consolidation?

We have talked a lot about education consolidation- both K-12 and higher education- on this blog, but the issue of local government consolidation has not been an issue- until now. Adams County Supervisor Mike Lazarus has proposed a plan that would consolidate the city of Natchez and Adams County.

Under Lazarus’ plan, the governmental bodies of Natchez and Adams County would merge into one entity. City and county departments would also merge.

Another idea for legislators to consider- even though I have the upmost confidence this will never see the light of day- is county consolidation. Does Mississippi need 82 counties? I would argue the state needs 82 counties as badly as she needs 152 schools districts or eight public universities or 174 legislators.