At Wednesday night's meeting, Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper asked, "How in the world are we going to have true metro government when South Charleston won't support it? The answer is... I don't see how."

South Charleston leaders have said no from the begining and even Charleston's mayor has his doubts.

"I don't know how it will work unless you have two budgets." said Mayor Danny Jones.

"We do have a very good functioning relationship with the city of Charleston." said Carper, "The 911 system works perfect. We had meetings that were a lot worse than this."

Metro government is designed to allow cities and counties to merge services to save money and grab more federal grants.

Carper said the city of South Charleston isn't the only thing holding back metro government. He said the lacking commitment from the business community and the legislature hurt the idea as well.

Carper admits with the current economy, it looks like ideas for metro government may remain tabled.

"Sometimes you're better of regrouping. Taxpayers won't tolerate waste and duplication in government." said Carper.

Carper said because Metro 911 has been successful he thinks someday metro government will function in Kanawha County as well.