Part 7: Consolidating or Merging the Public Service Provision in Virginia Cities and Counties: Where Can We Save the Most Money?

Authors

Center for Economic Analysis and Policy, Old Dominion University

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2015

Publication Title

2015 State of the Commonwealth Report

Pages

142-157

Abstract

Controlling for variables such as the cost of living and local characteristics, we examine the provision of 25 distinct public services by the 95 counties and 39 independent cities in Virginia. Could we save money and perhaps provide better services if we combined the provision of some of these services across county and city lines? The evidence suggests that the answer is yes for at least 13 of these public services and perhaps for another four.

Repository Citation

Center for Economic Analysis and Policy, Old Dominion University, "Part 7: Consolidating or Merging the Public Service Provision in Virginia Cities and Counties: Where Can We Save the Most Money?" (2015). State of the Commonwealth Reports. 24.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/soc_reports/24