LIBERAL ? Some residents in southwest Kansas are circulating a petition for a countywide vote on consolidating parts of the Liberal and Seward County governments.

However, unlike Tribune, a small town about 150 miles northwest of Liberal that is considering wholesale consolidation with Greeley County, residents here want to combine only the road and bridge, economic development, and police and fire departments.

The petition requires 900 signatures by June if proponents want the measure on the ballot for the November election.

Some small towns concerned about dying out have taken a cue from an urban setting, Wyandotte County, which consolidated 10 years ago and has reversed its declining population and a stagnant economy.

In the Legislature, the House and Senate have passed bills to eliminate most state oversight in the consolidation process.