In 2005, a Steering Committee of county and city citizens began a study of the unification or consolidation of government services of the two political subdivisions.The charge given was for us to conduct an investigation and study of “the more efficient and effective deliveries of local government services to the citizens of Frederick County and the City of Winchester through consolidation of the respective local governments of parts thereof.” The Steering Committee decided the task was a large one and decided to divide the study in to two phases.Phase I began in the spring of 2005 and subcommittees were appointed to study the following government services: Schools, Fire & Rescue, Social Services, Parks and Recreation and Planning and Zoning. In addition, subcommittees for Legal Issues, Demographics, and Public Opinion were appointed to assist the Steering Committee and the subcommittees in their work on an ongoing basis.

As the Phase I subcommittees began their work, four public meetings were held in which citizens were allowed to give their views and to ask questions of the topics or government services being studied. The Phase I subcommittees finished their work in various stages and the final reports were submitted in late winter of 2007.Each report showed the structure of a unified or consolidated department for Schools, Fire and Rescue, Social Services, Planning and Zoning and Parks and Recreation. The Steering Committee received and accepted the reports but they have not been consolidated into one report which we will write and submit after Phase II reports are received.

The subcommittees appointed for Phase II are: Data Processing and Finance, chaired by David Ziegler, Inspections, chaired by Doug Toan, Water and Sewer, chaired by Harry Smith, and Transportation, chaired by Dan Troup. I wish to thank them and their committees for their diligence and efforts. They have conducted their studies during the spring and are now finalizing their reports. Before submitting the reports to The Steering Committee, they will appear at the three public hearings to summarize their findings and to receive any public comment or to answer questions. These meetings are set for September 20th, September 24th and September 27th at Daniel Morgan Middle School, James Wood High School and Evandale Elementary School respectively.

It was the intention of the Steering Committee to study The Constitutional Offices - The Sheriff, The Commonwealth Attorney, The Clerk of the Circuit Court, The Treasurer and The Commissioner of the Revenue- as well as Law Enforcement in Phase II. However, during our work in Phase I, we learned that the unification of these offices could probably not occur absent total unification of the two political subdivisions and the exact form or structure of those offices would vary depending on which form of government was chosen. Either a city form of government or a county form could be chosen and there are variations in the types of county government allowed under current Virginia law. The Steering Committee believes this will required an additional study and this should be done by the two governing bodies and might require professional staff to obtain the information needed. The Steering Committee would certainly assist if requested to do so.

The study thus far has been thorough and somewhat complicated. The constant changes in the demographics of the area, the new public issues that arise and have impact across geographic and political boundaries, the enabling state law that allows regional taxation for specific purposes validates the request the city and county charged us to study. At the same time, these issues have slowed the momentum of our work, but as we conclude Phase II, we are confident we can have a final report to the two governing bodies in early 2008 and that the report will indicate we met the mandate given us. Thus far, we know that consolidation of certain offices can be done. If and when and should it be done are issues the governing bodies and citizens will have to decide in the future.

The work of The Steering Committee and various subcommittees can be viewed on the web site www.winchester-frederick.com.

Michael M. Foreman, Steering Committee Chairman