State Representative and Task Force member Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) issued the following statement in response to the final report being released.
“This Task Force had an objective to study and make recommendations on consolidation options for local governments and school districts with the goal of improving the delivery of government and education services at a lower cost to State taxpayers.”
“We convened 16 meetings across the state and conducted a comprehensive review of state laws pertaining to local governments and school districts. State policy should be encouraging cooperation amongst local governments and school districts to consolidate and streamline function while eliminating unfunded mandates. Both deliver critical services to local residents and businesses that have been suppressed by numerous State mandates that continue to drain their budgets. The task was challenging, but it was something that absolutely needed attention.”“The final report included a study on unfunded mandates and opportunities to streamline or eliminate governmental bodies and schools districts, and 27 bipartisan endorsed recommendations.”
“These reforms will help stabilize local governments and permit taxing bodies to operate a more efficient streamlined process that tax payers can support. My next job as a legislator is to see through that these recommendations are heard in committee and eventually voted on by the full legislature.”
The final report can be found HERE.
