The General Assembly finds and determines that there is a pressing need for modernization and reorganization of local government service delivery programs in many parts of the state. Both increasing population and urbanization in some areas of the state, as well as relative population decreases in other areas of the state, together with modern developments in transportation, communication, information, and other service delivery equipment and systems have rendered obsolete many of the traditional local government territorial systems for delivery of local government services.

In many cases the consolidation of local government units or the consolidation of local government service delivery programs can lead to increased efficiency in the delivery of local government services, thereby providing either enhanced service delivery, lower levels of taxation, or both. In other cases, however, existing territorial systems for local government service delivery already operate in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide incentives and requirements relating to consolidation of local government units and local government service delivery programs in those cases where such consolidation will improve efficiency and cost effectiveness, without disturbing territorial arrangements which already operate in an efficient and cost-effective manner.