In this recent editorial from the Sacramento Bee the call for Sacramento County to consider other options to bring its governance and finance in line with current realities is well said, and could just as well be applied to other local governments struggling with current issues.
Fortunately, three of our new local governments, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, and Rancho Cordova, seem to be doing just fine and perhaps are models to be considered.
An excerpt.
“Sacramento County cannot continue to supply municipal-level services, primarily garbage collection and police protection, to the 40 percent or so of county residents who don't live in cities. Densely populated urban neighborhoods in the unincorporated county, such as Arden Arcade, Carmichael, North Highlands and parts of south Sacramento, should either incorporate – that is, form their own cities – or be annexed to existing cities that they border.
“In the past, supervisors have resisted such action. That's no longer a wise or even viable position. Given the high cost of government and falling property values, many of these communities no longer generate sufficient property tax to pay for the kinds of municipal services residents expect and need. The new county executive should actively encourage incorporations or annexations where that makes fiscal and governmental sense.
“In addition, the county needs a new executive willing to emulate some of the innovative service delivery models the county's recently incorporated cities have adopted. For example, he or she should consider partnering with private entities to reduce direct county delivery of services.”
