Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1967

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Economics

Abstract

South Dakota had a greater number of local governments per 100,000 inhabitants than any other state in the United States in 1962.1 This fact suggests the existence of economic inefficiency in the operation of local governments in South Dakota. The people of South Dakota are demanding more services form their governments in South Dakota. The people of South Dakota are demanding more services from their governments. Governmental functions are becoming more expensive, partly because of providing more and higher quality services, and thus the taxes are increasing.2 Taxes are of constant concern, perhaps greater concern than usual, among the people of South Dakota. South Dakota is sparsely populated, and a relatively large percentage of its inhabitants are in the older age group as well as in the young group. This, along with the fact that there is an out-of-state migration of young adults, means that there is a smaller portion of persons in the working age group in South Dakota to share the increased tax costs.3 A possible solution to this problem would be to curtail available public services. However, it is not expected that this would be acceptable to people. Other adjustments of services and costs of public services may be more realistic. It might be possible to reduce the costs of governmental services by consolidating local governmental units in order to create larger, more efficient local governmental units in order to create larger, more efficient units. Consolidation of functions could also be considered. The purpose of any adjustment should be to provide higher quality services at the same costs, to provide the same services at reduced cost or to achieve some combination of these two effects. The purpose of this study is to review selected functions of local government, analyze the economic efficiency of these functions and to suggest alternative measures for achieving higher levels of efficiency in providing these selected services demanded by the people of the State.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

County government -- South Dakota -- Costs

Format

application/pdf

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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