In this paper we review several ‘models’ of governing structure found in metropolitan areas around the world from a fiscal perspective. We evaluate how different models achieve coordination of service delivery over the entire metropolitan area, the extent to which they allow for the equitable sharing of costs of services throughout the metropolitan area, and their ability to reduce negative or positive spillovers of service delivery across local boundaries. We then consider the advantages and disadvantages of different revenue-raising tools for metropolitan areas. We conclude by making a few suggestions with respect to metropolitan fiscal and governance developments in Latin America.
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