The Tribune editorial board took up the question of annexation today:
Annexation Plan Makes Sense
I have attended the annexation meetings that have been held and I agree with the plan. I have written a couple of columns on the subject.
A Closer Look at Annexation September 3, 2010
The city council has a duty to its citizens to do what is best for them. For many years they have been struggling balance the budget and now the administration has given them an opportunity to increase its tax base without raising taxes on its citizens, and some on the council are dragging their heals.
Standing in the way of Annexation July 2, 2010
Mayor Doug England and his administration have come up with a plan to add nearly $700,000 to the city coffers by annexing 219 acres which consist of mostly commercial property near the Interstate 265 interchange on Charlestown Road. Why in the world would anyone stand in the way of this?
I think that the editorial board is right, the city needs this. This plan has been in the works for years but the business owners want you to think that they are just finding out.
On September 30th the City Council will take the final vote to decide whether or not annexation will take place this year.
3 comments:
Yeah Matt. The annexation is probably a pretty good idea and should pass. Have you checked to see what real/hidden costs might be associated with this annex in terms of added utility/infrastructure? I have no idea if there is any, but we have been surprised before. Just do it.
Hey, what about the bridges project? 40 years over due, with toll talk starting to smell like the fossil beds on a hot July afternoon. St. Louis Plan, Mississippi Plan, etc. Why not a Falls City Plan that cuts to the chase, builds the east end bridge, checks the impact (tolls here will be fine)and fix the beds on the Kennedy and Sherman Minton before we go any further. Oh wait, we have no money in the forecast to maintain the Kennedy and SM bridges, so let's just toll everything to generate more revenue to support everything but the plan. Ok, I get it. So we'll toll the bridges from Floyd County to Clark County as well. Smells bad, doesn't it?
Thanks for the comment,
As far as extra cost to annexation, I am sure there will be (there always is) but with an extra $700,000 I think we will still come out ahead.
As far as the Ohio River Bridges Project...Stay tuned
I look forward to helping to lead the fight against tolls on bridges across the Ohio River
Matt, You know as well as I do that the $700,000 is already spent due to the deficit. Who is going to keep the bureaucrats from continuely spending beyond the revenue? Where is the accountability? Continue on with the annexation because it makes sense to make it part of the community. Will it give New Albany an increase in population to make it a second class city?
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