By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

A total merger of Twin Cities services isn’t popular, according to results of a June survey.

Residents are ready to combine most administrative jobs performed by the two governments. That includes back office operations – such as accounting, purchasing and personnel functions – as well as standard building or land-use codes for both cities.

“But people are not interested in a complete merger,” said Frank O’Hara of Planning Decisions Inc. O’Hara is working with the cities’ Commission on Joint Services to look for ways to combine services and save money.

Money is the big driver for supporters, according to the survey. Almost two-thirds said they’d support some cooperation if it helps hold down property taxes, improves the quality of service or reduces staff size.

“I think most people are practical about all this,” O’Hara said. “They’re willing to see what they can do to improve property taxes. But they just are not willing to jump up and say Let’s be one big city and everything will be great.'”

Only about 30 percent favored a total merger, O’Hara said.

About 70 percent said they’d favor combining office work, while 65 percent favored creating standard codes for both cities. Another 65 percent want to see economic development efforts coordinated out of one office.

About 57 percent favored having one police department and 54 percent favored one fire department.

A single school district was the least popular option. Less than 40 percent favored that, O’Hara said.

Younger folk are more willing to experiment, according to the survey. When asked if they’d support a total merger of the cities, 42 percent of those younger than 45 said they would. Only 28 percent of people 60 or older supported it, however.

“There are still older people who remember two separate cities, who have not crossed the river in years,” O’Hara said. “City officials told us of a time when the police from one city were not even allowed to cross the bridge. So, it’s a generational thing.”

The survey was performed in June. Pollsters called 300 Twin Cities residents at random, 150 from Lewiston and 150 from Auburn. They were asked 38 questions designed to gauge their age and feelings about merging city operations.

The commission has interviewed municipal staff and city councilors from Lewiston and Auburn, looking for ways to combine services and trim budgets. City councils in both cities should get a report from the group in the fall.

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