Charlie,
It would never help merging the districts. Not one of them has taxes any where in that realm. It is the unions that are keeping the expenses high. They get increases beyond what the economy as a whole is supporting and benefits that burden many generations. (Just like the democrat fiscal policies). They cannot be afforded now and they will be added to future costs.
People are willing to pay more to live outside New York, but that does not mean they should let themselves be taxed without representation.
BTW, were you to pay taxes, would the city income tax be more than real estate taxes? There is no city income tax in Rockland, which exists in NYC.