The text of the town's proposed resolution that Oneonta participate in a study of a town-city merger:
Resolution for Study of Town-City Relations
Whereas, in 1996 a Blue Ribbon Task Force studied with staff support from the Center for Economic and Community Development at SUCO, intergovernmental relations between the City and Town of Oneonta;
Whereas, based on possible economic advantage to both communities, one of the recommendations was for the appointment of a nine member commission including the Mayor and Town Supervisor to study the possibility of consolidation.
Whereas, in 2008, the Center for Governmental Research, under the auspices of the New York State Commission on Local Government Efficiency Competitiveness, issued a report on 3 cities and towns in New York State, one of which was Oneonta, which encouraged the economic desirability of consolidation.
Npw therefore, the Town Board of Oneonta duly convened does hereby:
Resolve, that the Town Board endorses the study of current collaborative efforts and potential new efficiencies in interactions between the City and the Town. The study will also examine the methods of taxation that residents of the town and city are subject to and the possible ramifications of altering the current tax structure. Updating the 1996 report will help determine if there have been significant changes to the findings of that report.
Be it further Resolved, that town participation in this study is not an endorsement of consolidation Consolidation is only possible by referendum with approval by a majority of the voters of the town. The Town of Oneonta will bear no cost for this study but will provide information and assistance as needed.
