THREE AREAS OF CONCERN
1# COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION:
Community participation is a critical ingredient of an empowered growing community. Participation in planning the vision for your community is the heart that pumps the community’s life blood its citizens. An informed citizen is progressive.
How can we achieve this?
Face to Face communication through town hall meetings in various parts of the district once a quarter
Electronic media: newsletters, emails, website blog.
Make the commissions processes and decisions inclusive and transparent.
Fiscal responsibility (make budgets available on web site) public information.
2# INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT:
According to the, (Code of Alabama 1975, Sections 11-85-1-through 11-85-7) this statue authorizes the county commission to develop a master plan for the county’s physical development.
A master plan presents long-range objectives for all activates that affect growth and development. In addition, the comprehensive plan or the master plan states community goals and offers recommendations for action for economic development, housing, land use, schools, community facilities, the environment and transportation. The master plan services as a guide for public and private development and for budgeting of tax payer money. A master plan would allow you to compare at what the community looks like now and what it should look like in the future.
Elements of a Master Plan
STEP 1# The County Profile
History
General geography and location
Natural environmentSTEP 2# General studies
Population
Economic base
Housing
Land Use
TransportationSTEP 3# County- Based Studies
Human Resources
Facilities and Public Needs
RestorationSTEP 4# Implementation elements
Assessment of strengths and weaknesses
Evaluation of opportunities
Identify alternative solutions
Selection of solution and implementSTEP 5# Follow – up
Monitoring feedback
Adjustment of Solution
How can we achieve this?Madison County Commission team with the Regional Planning Organization (TARCOG), to produce a Master Plan for the County According to the Alabama Statue.
3# NO ADDITIONAL TAX:
School boards receive Dollars from:
1/2-cent sales tax implemented by county commission, 1988($450+ million). Next 20 years, existing 1/2 cent tax will generate $650+ million dollars
- 2007, 1 cent sales tax Madison City, Madison County, generates $900,000+
- 2007 School property tax generates $4,918,746+
- Casual tax on the sale of all new/used boats, used cars $710,000+
- $6.7 Billion Dollars, Alabama State Budget for education
- $40.28 Million Dollars from State Bond, local school construction
Sales tax will generate money from all people in the county. Property tax will affect property owners only. Madison County property tax has increased 3-8% per year since Alabama went to yearly tax evaluations in place of evaluation every 4 years!
Madison County will receive the most dollars ever received in it’s history. Responsible and efficient spending is what we need from the School Board!
Things to look into!
How can we utilize the tax payer money more efficiently?
- Units System vs. District System We owe it to the taxpayers to research the systems. Which one is more cost effective?
- District System (current)
- Duplicative Equipment and Man Power or It just works for Madison County
- Unit System in 1990 45 out of 67 counties in Alabama were already using the Unit System. Why?
Highlights
Economic Development Highlights at the Chamber of Commerce over the past 5 years:
http://www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/news/ed_highlights_2007.html