As reported in media, the City of St. John's has received a consultant's report on amalgamation. It has had this report for a couple of months and the City Manager, Bob Smart, has sent a memo to Council on his analysis of the report.
In a nutshell, his report is summed up with the comment - "The report does not present a compelling case for amalgamation and may in fact offer reinforcement for opponents of amalgamation".
While acknowledging the citizens of St. John's may receive a reduction in their taxes, residents of Mount Pearl and Paradise would receive an increase in their taxes.
Long term, there may be advantages to amalgamation but the short and medium term are not as promising.
Smart goes on to suggest the city has to re-think its strategy on amalgamation and awaits direction from council.
Council may discusss this issue within the next couple of weeks.
As to when we get to see the report, no decision has been made.
I have always been a proponent of regional co-operation rather than amalgamation as I believe, for now, this is the most cost-effective means of sharing resources within the North-East Avalon.
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