11-26-1984 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

IV METROPOLITAN AREA ISSUES & CONCERNS IV. PHILOSOPHY WITH RESPECT TO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES The source of all governmental power resides with the people. The purpose of government is to identify and meet the needs of the governed. Needs of the people should be met with a minimum of involvement on th-, part of governing units. The degree of involvement should be that necessary to solve the problem. Because they are closer to the people, local governing bodies are generally most :suited to deal with the day-to-day problems of their constituents, to introduce practical knowledge to the formation of policies and plans affecting their constituents, and to see the impact of those policies. Some issues are beyond the scope of a single governing body. Therefore, when such issues arise, it is in the interest of all concerned for governing units to cooperate in reaching a solution. There are a few problems which are of such magnitude that they encompass the concerns of an entire metropolitan area. Such problems and issues must necessarily be dealt with by a metropolitan unit. However, that unit should act in cooperation with local governing bodies by attempting to identify the best solution before determining courses of action. Metropolitan Agencies and Local Governmental Units should be viewed as partners with each respecting the role of the other in solving these problems. Government must not be insulated from the governed. It crust be kept in mind by all officials, elected and non-electea, that they are servants of the will of the people. IV -A PURPOSE OF METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES Due to the.poiitical fragmentation of this metropolitan aru-1--4R4 the diverse fiscal conditions, geographic locations, and size 4f the local unit: of government, there is a need for a regional service delivery system to provide certain services or portions of certain services to most effectively and efficiently satisfy the needs of the residents living in this area. F.xamtle of this type of regional service needs would be the prevention of pollution, provision of certain transportation functions, etc. There s a also a need for some planning on a metropolitan wide basis which, must be done in cooperation with local government. The ffdera1 and state government require that many grant applications be reviewed by a regional agency to determine consistency .)f these applications with regional plans and programs. since this activity is beyoc;d the control of local units of government, the Council appear- to be the mo.,t logical agency to perforr, this, function.