Lawrence city leaders plan to continue conversation about consolidation of city and county governments

The city’s interest in consolidating city and county governments has created some tension between the two governing bodies, but Lawrence city commissioners plan to continue the conversation.

Lawrence city commissioners raised the topic with Douglas County commissioners during a joint meeting last month, but county commissioners said they were not interested in the possibility and that they didn’t think county residents who live outside Lawrence would support it. City commissioners, though, would like the two governing bodies to have an informed conversation about the pros and cons of unification and how it might benefit all local taxpayers.