Municipal Mergers

The concept of shared services has recently gained momentum.  Now, whole municipality mergers are being discussed.
Officials are looking into the benefits of merging Ventnor, Margate and Longport into one municipality.
The state is offering incentives to encourage municipalities to merge.  Under state legislation, the Department of Community affairs will cover 20 percent of the cost of municipal mergers and cities would be permitted to spread those costs over five years.

Substantial savings to taxpayers could be made by combining all municipal services under one governing body but as Margate Mayor Mike Becker stated, " People are reluctant to give up their kingdoms.  It's as simple as that."

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/officials-consider-if-ventnor-margate-longport-merger-would-work/article_ed4d49e8-7a7e-11e3-a727-001a4bcf887a.html