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Alderman tries to dispel annexation fears in area |
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Monday, 14 July 2008 |
Benton Alderman Brad Moore says many people who reside in the Northlake area targeted for annexation by the city of Benton are fearful of issues that never would come to pass.
"There will be little or no change in the daily lifestyles of the citizens of these areas,” Moore said.
Residents of the targeted area and the city of Benton will vote Tuesday, Aug., 12 in a special election on the annexation question.
Among the issues raised in regard to becoming part of Benton is the residents’ right to own livestock and other animals and this should not be a concern, Moore noted.
“Your livestock and other animals will not be taken away if you become part of the city of Benton,” Moore said.
Another issue raised frequently has concerned utilities, Moore noted.
He explained that the city’s sales tax no longer subsidizes Benton’s electric rates.
“Citizens in the proposed annexation areas will have no change in their utility providers,” he said. “You will not be forced to become a customers of Benton Utilities.”
Service areas for utility providers will not change regardless of the election outcome, he noted.
Code enforcement is another area of concern cited by some of the residents, and this also should not be an issue, Moore said. “Code enforcement officers will not react to your property unless a fellow citizen files a complaint.
“Our code enforcement officers don’t operate with a vigilante approach,” he added.
The right to burn limbs, leaves and grass clippings will remain with the residents, Moore pointed out. “Benton Fire Department will not prevent you from doing this.”
Conversely, the residents of the area would benefit from having the services of Benton’s fire department, which already responds in the area much of the time, according to Chief Ben Blankenship.
“Citizens in the affected areas will have full access to all city services just as soon as possible,” he said.
The biggest change for people in the affected area would be an increase in property taxes of $90 per $100,000 of property, Moore said.
Residents of these areas will be afforded the right “to vote on city-related issues and will gain influence on how Benton’s elected officials spend their tax dollars,” Moore pointed out.
Also, people living in these areas will gain the professional representation from the mayor of Benton and Benton City Council.
The city of Benton will realize an increase in property tax revenue and state funding for road repairs, he said.
Moore believes the annexation will benefit the residents of this area and hopes that their concerns will be allayed as they obtain increased information.
Marsha Guffey, director of community development for the city of Benton, pointed out that the regular U.S. Census is used to determine the amount of state turnback revenue the city gets. “The increased population from the annexation area will help fund city services in general.
“If Benton does not annex this area now, Bryant will, cutting Benton off from future growth,” she said.
“Benton Utilities have planned for growth in this area, with many improvements under construction or already in place. “The anticipated economies of scale won’t materialize if the area is not in Benton.”
This annexation will make it possible for the city to annex the commercial area of Salem, which will increase sales tax revenue to the city,” Guffey said.
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Razorbacks
