Consolidation of city services is always a hot topic. Currently there is quite a bit of discussion in the community about consolidation of this, that and everything else. Occasionally my name shows up in that conversation. I prefer to tell you myself where I stand on consolidation issues instead of letting someone else tell you how I feel.
First and foremost, you elected me to look after the best interests of the taxpayers and residents of Sun Valley. I take that responsibility very seriously.
I am always open to consider issues that can save our taxpayers money without diminishing the level of City service you expect. I have and continue to support those areas of consolidation of services, both locally and regionally, that make fiscal and practical sense to the taxpayers of Sun Valley.
On the particular issue of the day, police consolidation, there is some unfortunate and ill-considered information circulating, in the form of opinion rather than fact, put out there by some with agendas to protect. Some of that may not represent the best interests of Sun Valley taxpayers, or reflect how to immediately solve the problems our local economy is facing. It appears two unrelated issues (police consolidation and tourism marketing) are quite possibly being mixed together to obfuscate an ultimate goal (complete consolidation of both cities). If we ever get to the point of officially discussing some sort of consolidation, I want to make sure we look at the issues on a factual basis, not just on emotions or hearsay, and certainly not for political expediency. We must be careful to analyze the facts and ramifications of such potential actions in a responsible and professional manner. Approaching very serious issues like these in a knee-jerk manner to serve some short-term self-interest makes no sense. These are permanent decisions that are virtually impossible to reverse once made. If a decision is reached through a faulty process, it could end up costing the taxpayers of Sun Valley much more than it does now with no improvement in the level of service. That is money that could otherwise be used to take care of critical infrastructure and help with economic development.
That situation almost happened with the proposed Fire Department consolidation with Ketchum which was attempted last year and earlier this year by some of the same individuals involved in the current discussion. Had that consolidation gone through, it would have created a significant immediate economic burden for Sun Valley taxpayers without any improvement in service to our citizens. Those supporting that consolidation avoided discussing the financial facts and their impacts. Instead, they could only resort to suppressing factual information that did not support their position and bad-mouthing the fine people who work for our Fire Department. We cannot let that happen again if we are to have a truly open and honest evaluation of any consolidation proposal. Those responsible for making consolidation decisions who favor a preconceived outcome and are unwilling to consider all the facts do no one any service in the long run.
I hold myself accountable for my own words when I campaigned for the City Council. Here is what I said about consolidation of services back on October 29, 2005 on my blog in response to a question from the Chamber of Commerce:
“Concerning the proximity and potential cost savings, I was asked if I would consider consolidation of any Sun Valley and Ketchum city services. Each City has unique requirements, situations and an identity. In most cases, previous studies have indicated that outright consolidation would not be cost-effective. Several joint cooperative relationships exist including EMT and ambulance service, police, fire, consolidated dispatch and KART. As our circumstances change with the growth expected in Sun Valley, we should continually evaluate consolidation and joint relationship possibilities for the benefit of each community. We should also be keenly aware of opportunities for consolidation as they arise, such as regional transportation.
I fully support the consolidation effort currently being pursued to bring KART and the Peak Bus under one regional transportation authority throughout the valley. It will also make sense to try to bring the resort’s transportation system under this authority. The regional authority will have the ability to tap into Federal funds to purchase rolling stock at very affordable rates. This will also help us work toward a fully integrated transportation system that could link to a potential new airport.”
Click here for my full October 29, 2005 blog post
Further, on April 11th of this year, while discussing the Fire Department consolidation, I described how I would evaluate that issue:
“The decision for me on fire consolidation will boil down to what is best for the taxpayers and residents of the City of Sun Valley:
- Will consolidation improve the level of service we receive in the city, or
- Will consolidation save the taxpayers of Sun Valley money?
I have set that threshold high because, from my personal experience living in the city for 20 years, and from conducting a thorough financial analysis of the consolidation report, if a decision is made to consolidate, it is clear we cannot go back to what we have now.”
Click here for my full April 11, 2008 blog post
There you have it, directly from the horse’s mouth. That is how I have looked at consolidation issues in the past and how I will continue to look at any type of consolidation in the future. And that is where I stand, the same place I have always stood.
I have always found this 238 year old quote by John Adams to be quite applicable when faced with making important City decisions:
“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”
John Adams, December 1770
It is an honor to serve you, the people of Sun Valley.
I continue to agree with you in these matters re:proposed consolidation of services. Why fix things which are not broken? I am more than willing to work to keep our current fire, police and City of Sun Valley independent of our neighboring cities. I certainly appreciate and support the
bus service. Thanks, Nils, for listening and looking out for the residents of SV.
Nils:
Having been a Ketchum fireman for many years back in “the day”, I’ve given this some thought for quite a while. Consolidation usually seems like a great idea at first blush, and on occasion it may be sound, but when you look at how difficult consolidating the dispatch service has become, that seems to be an excellent example of just how the discussion can twist about and end up being a much greater cost to the City of SV. Ketchum’s police tasks are very heavy by comparison to the day to day tasks of our police. Their dollar costs per population are very likely much higher than ours. Let’s ask Ketchum if they think it would be a good idea if they consolidated with, say Hailey. My guess is that they would not look favorably on that idea. Of course they would cite the 10 mile separation as a problem but in reality It would have the potential of ketchum taxpayers assuming a lot of the cost of Hailey’s service. A joint powers agreement (which we probably already have) seems like a better arrangement than consolidation.
Thanks for the opportunity to weigh in on this
Jake
Nils,
I support your position on consolidation. Based on what I have seen, it seems that every time we get involved with other communities and the county, Sun Valley ends up paying a disproportionate share of the costs. Ambulance service and 911 are two examples. I am all for efficiency in government and saving taxpayer money, but the council should be very sure that this will occur before any consolidation is considered. The devil is in the details.
Cris
A few rules:
1. Money like a lot of other things runs downhill.
2. Whenever a Ketchum Politician smiles, shakes your hand and says thank you, you know you have been screwed.
3. Remember that it takes a different kind of cop to take a drunk out of the Duchin Room than out of the Casino. I do not think I ever saw a Ketchum cop who would understand the difference. Point being that the Council must be in a position to establish the tone of law enforcement in Sun Valley.
4. Consolidation of the police departments would probably not reduce the number of people on the street at any given time. Any savings achieved by eliminating one Chief would probably be offset by the time enough Assistant Chiefs were appointed to effectively manage the department.
5. The existing system with mutual aid seems to work quite well.
6. True consolidation would only be practical when and if the number of qualified voters was essentially the same in each town to preclude siphoning money from the SV property base to fund Ketchum projects.
&. I would truly consider leaving SV before subjecting myself to the vagaries of Ketchum government.
Role of Government and its consolidation:
I absolutely believe what Mark Twain said “Government is a necessary evil”. I was thinking and meditating on anything in our country that the government has handled that has stood the test of time or has not added to the problem, and I only came up with two. The Interstate system and the Hoover Dam. Twain further elaborated that the government should stick to defense and providing subsidized postal service to remote areas that cannot be served and stick to facilitating excellence in those that are governed, I agree. I could spend an inappropriate amount of time giving you reasons why, with the best of intentions, things don’t work out when the Govt. gets involved & choose to leave that for another time.
As a concept consolidation in any activity is truly the most efficient way of getting things done. In government, the ultimate consolidation is rule by a dictator, highly highly efficient. Decisions can be made fast and they do not need to be politically correct or viable. There is no Princess Nancy “Privatejet” Pelosi, Prince Harry “Tourist-stink” Reed, Barack “spread-the-wealth” Obama, “Give them cake” attitude on one side and right wing; “Must have all babies & dump all the babies on tax payers”, zealots on the other, impeding the dictators efficiency. Democracy is the opposite, and extremely inefficient. Look at the cost savings if we did away with 50 state governments and the counties and the townships….Communisim. Needless to say, there is a huge price to pay for consolidation. Centralized power removes checks and balances, leading to “Hitlers”. and our open democracy, with all its inefficiencies, seems to me, to be the better choice.
Specifically, while consolidation of Sun Valley and Ketchum seems efficient on paper and will lead to cost savings, I will bet that none of these savings will come back to us, the tax payers. Besides, the culture of the two cities is so different, it will be like mixing oil and water. So, I would much rather stick to what I have, because I will never see any savings anyway and not lose the wonderful culture of our small city. On the other hand, if you actually could show me that you will be sending me some money back, I would definitely look at that with an open mind to see if I am willing to give up something for a tangible reward.
Respectfully submitted,
Pawan Mehra, Sun Valley
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it?
So boys and girls, just what qualifies as broke? Perhaps we should add a Police Chief or two, a few more council members, and tax you some more. Some more layers of supervisors and staff. Would it be broke then? When if ever, will it be broke. Very generous standards you employ.
If you people had any idea of just how inefficient this system is, you’d have a migraine. The reason you think it works well- is because that is what they want you to believe. That’s what they tell you. It seems to work well because that’s what they want you to believe. You cannot measure results folks, without trying it both ways. THAT IS A FACT.
Perhaps you think I am making all this up for some secret agenda. Maybe 24 years as a credible and honest cop was a lie. They paid me to tell the truth.
We have seen the enemy. They are what we thought they were.
Let me leave you with this last thought.
When in history has government ever admitted that they are a top heavy, inefficient, and duplicitous waste of money?
The short answer is never. And so it is, by your standards-all government is a good deal. If it were an accountable business, trust me, it would have been bankrupt long ago…if not for nice folks like you. I mean that sincerely.
Brian