Consolidation is equal parts fact and fiction.
More than 35 years of spasmodic attention has done little to increase understanding of consolidation in Memphis and Shelby County. As the discussion continues, here’s a 25-question quiz to test your knowledge.
Here’s the grading scale: 25 right – a consolidation genius; 20 right – pretty smart on consolidation; 15 right – you know more than most people; 10 right – go to the back of the line; and 5 or less right – you flunked.
1 – What percentage of consolidation votes in U.S. pass?
a) 50% b) 75% c) 15% d) 5%
2 – If Memphis and Shelby County Governments are consolidated, would the governments in the smaller towns be affected?
Yes No
3 – If Memphis and Shelby County Governments are consolidated, would every one’s tax rate be the same?
Yes No
4 – What percentage of U.S. counties are consolidated?
a) 35% b) 1% c) 20% d) 45%
5 – When’s the last time a county with the population of Shelby County was consolidated?
a) 110 years ago b) 6 years ago c) 42 years ago d) 60 years ago
6 – What city in Tennessee has had more failed consolidation votes?
a) Chattanooga b) Memphis c) Knoxville d) Clarksville
7- Research shows that city-county consolidation saves money?
Yes No
8 – How many of the largest 100 cities in the U.S. have consolidated since 1900?
a) 35 b) 23 c) 9 d) 45
9 – What percentage of all consolidated governments are comparable in size to Memphis and Shelby County?
a) 75% b) 28% c) 42% d) 6%
10 – Pick the consolidated governments:
a) None b) Atlanta c) Dallas d) St. Louis e) Indianapolis f) New Orleans g) All
11 – What was the first city to consolidate?
a) New York b) Honolulu c) Chicago d) New Orleans
12 – Pick the cities where consolidation failed:
a) None b) Charlotte c) Portland d) Albuquerque e) Miami f) Pittsburgh g) All
13 – How many Tennessee counties are consolidated?
a) 1 b) 3 c) 5 d) 9
14 – How many consolidated counties in Tennessee have a population of more than 50,000?
a) 1 b) 3 c) 5 d) 9
15 – What percentage of consolidation votes in Tennessee have been approved since Nashville/Davidson County merged?
a) 10% b) 16% c) 30%
16 – How many times has Memphis voted on consolidation?
a) 2 b) 4 c) 6
17 – What percentage of voters in the last gubernatorial election can sign a petition and require the creation of a consolidation charter commission?
a) 10 b) 15 c) 20 d) 25
18 – How many members are on Nashville’s City Council?
a) 15 b) 25 c) 33 d) 40
19 – Of all the consolidated governments in the U.S., how many minor municipalities have remained within the merged government?
a) 0 b) 5 c) 15 d) 22
20 – How much was spent in Louisville by pro-consolidation forces?
a) $500,000 b) $1.25 million c) $2 million d) $3 million
21 – When was Tennessee constitution amended to allow consolidated government?
a) 1925 b) 1947 c) 1953 c) 1959
22 – In Tennessee’s four major cities, how many times has consolidation failed?
a) 4 b) 6 c) 8 d) 10
23 – What is not one of the most frequently used arguments in favor of consolidation?
a) Eliminate duplication b) Improve economy c) Lower taxes d) Efficiency
24 – What percentage of the total land area of Shelby County would be totally under the control of a new consolidated government?
a) 45% b) 55% c) 71% d) 80%
25 – What percentage of the total land area of Shelby County will Memphis control when annexation agreements are fully executed?
a) 45% b) 55% c) 65% d) 75%
ANSWERS:
1. c.
2. No
3. No
4. b
5. a
6. c
7. No
8. c
9. b
10. e and f
11. d
12. g
13. b
14. a
15. b
16. a
17. a
18. d
19. a
20. c
21. c
22. c
23. c
24. c
25. c
