Topeka ? In advance of next month’s vote, proponents of consolidating the Topeka and Shawnee County governments are pushing the merger’s potential savings to taxpayers.

Shawnee County voters will decide Nov. 2 whether to ask state lawmakers to form a commission to draw up a plan for consolidating the two governments. If the state puts together a plan, it would go back before voters for approval.

Supporters said joining similar city and county departments could shrink the size of government, reduce the number of high-paid supervisors and save money through the bulk purchase of supplies and other equipment.

Opponents said savings were not assured and departments that have operated separately for decades could become inefficient while trying to merge. In addition, they said, consolidations can sometimes have hidden costs, such as raising salaries in one department to match employees in the other department.

In terms of taxes, supporters say consolidation would make things more fair for the 122,377 Topeka residents, who make up the bulk of Shawnee County’s 2000 Census population 169,871.

County Commissioner Vic Miller said Topeka residents had to “pay twice” for similar services from the city and county, while residents outside city limits might spend much of their time in Topeka but pay taxes only to the county government.

Critics said a merger could boost tax bills for people living outside Topeka without an increase in the quality of services.