Eagles Landing Educational Research Committee, Inc. Educational Forum and Community Meeting February 23, 2017

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1 Eagles Landing Educational Research Committee, Inc. Educational Forum and Community Meeting February 23, 2017

2 ELERC Board of Directors Vikki Consiglio, Chairman Susan Clowdus, Vice Chairman William Herndon, Secretary Treasurer Dr. Tamica Valliere-White Daryl E. Dobbins Richard L. Mant

3 Let s Get Started THIS IS AN EDUCATIONAL FORUM ON THE VIABILITY OF A PROPOSED NEW CITY IN HENRY COUNTY

4 City vs County A city is a municipal corporation, a public corporate entity that derives its existence from the state with approval of its registered voters, with specific boundaries and taxing powers. Its primary purpose is to regulate the local or internal affairs of a designated area incorporated. A county, also a political subdivision of the state and a municipal corporation, is, unlike a city, directly a creation of the state. A new county may not be created by the vote of its residents; it may be created only by an amendment to the Georgia Constitution. Another basic distinction between a county and a city is that county government is essentially designed to provide services to rural, less densely populated areas located outside city boundaries and urban growth areas, while city government is essentially designed to provide services to urban areas. A county's services and responsibilities are regional in nature.

5 City vs County continued A further difference between cities and counties lies in the revenue sources that are available to each. For example, a city has authority to collect franchise fees while a county does not. For example Charter has a monthly franchise fee of $5.64. Also, state collected taxes are allocated differently between cities and counties.

6 Why consider creating a new city? 1. Not another layer of Government but a layer of local control with engaged citizens which will bring a smaller more responsive government to its citizens. 2. Instead of 5 people representing 200,000+ citizens, a city might have one representative for every 4,000 and these people would live in the community. 3. Most already know our area as Eagles Landing. Why not make it official? 4. No tax increase, just sound economic focus. Putting taxes back into our community. 5. Establish a high end per capita city which will attract high end retail, restaurants and businesses.

7 Why have this? Empty Lots Unmanned Code Violations

8 When You Could Have this

9 The Pros and Cons Of Incorporating a New City

10 Local Control The idea of local control over the provision of public services, patterns of land use, and community character and identity is the basic reason that communities incorporate or attempt to do so. This may be a significant advantage of incorporation, assuming that there already exists a sense of community that includes some consensus as to community goals and some shared vision of future development. The absence of such a consensus may make it difficult to successfully incorporate.

11 What do you want to see?

12 Local Accountability Hand in hand with the idea of local control is the idea of local accountability of public officials and governmental bodies for their decisions. Where county officials serve a broader constituency, those of an incorporated municipality have more direct influence over their elected local officials. There is, of course, no guarantee that municipal officials will be more responsive to the constituency of the new city.

13 Let s Keep this Going

14 Provision of Services A newly incorporated city may choose to provide its own municipal services, such as fire and police departments and utilities. It may contract with a county or another governmental entity for such services for an interim period or longer. Whether providing its own services is advantageous to a community depends on two basic considerations: whether the existing services are being provided at a satisfactory level and whether a community, if it incorporates, will possess an adequate revenue base to satisfactorily provide its own services. One of the basic purposes of an incorporation feasibility study is to address these issues. Certain services may be more accessible as a result of incorporation.

15 We Need Code Enforcement Who is cleaning up this mess? What about a sign ordinance?

16 Land Use and Development The issue of local control prominently involves the ability of a community to govern its land use and development based upon its own goals and visions of community character. Establishing a high-end per capita area in which to LiveWork-Play, whose demographics will attract high-end retail, restaurants and businesses will also bring in higher paying jobs and help the entire county as well as surrounding cities.

17 Why Settle for So Many of These? Isn t one enough? 3 already in our area!

18 When we could have these

19 And possibly these

20 Cost to Taxpayers The estimated cost to taxpayers of a proposed incorporation is often a deciding factor in an incorporation election. The specter of raised taxes has proven to be an effective weapon against some incorporation efforts. The potential revenues and expenditures of an incorporated community and their effect upon service delivery and upon the individual taxpayer will be addressed by a feasibility study. Increased taxes may not be necessary for an increased level of services if revenues are sufficiently greater as a result of incorporation.

21 Cost to Taxpayers Continued A thorough incorporation feasibility study should address financial issues under various assumptions and provide information helpful not only to voters on the issue of incorporation but also to the future elected officials who will be making the initial decisions regarding these issues. Fiscal impact evaluation through the feasibility study is an essential aspect of the pre-incorporation process in that it provides a basis to assess the potential costs of incorporation to the individual taxpayer.

22 Cost To Taxpayers The feasibility study will show the potential income and expenses that will be incurred for the proposed city. At that time the ELERC Board can determine if further action will be necessary to increase or decrease the proposed city area. Of course the ELERC Board will not favor incorporating if there is a no other alternative other than an increase in property taxes.

23 Community Identity Clearly, incorporation of an area will result in a change in and a heightening of community identity by more explicitly defining the community by the boundaries of the incorporated area. Incorporation may serve to create an autonomous community identity separate from the larger unincorporated area or from surrounding cities. By establishing or enhancing community identity and creating greater local control over future identity, incorporation may stimulate increased community involvement concern and economic development.

24 Even Other Governments Recognize the area known as EAGLES LANDING

25 Impacts on Other Government Entities Incorporation will definitely have some impact upon the county and upon other cities with jurisdictions in the area incorporated. The county and some cities will lose revenues from a reduction in their tax bases. On the other hand, the county or other cities may have been expending more funds providing services than it was receiving in revenues. Again, these are impacts will be considered and evaluated in the incorporation feasibility study. Of course new city officials when elected will determine what services will need to be continued by the county.

26 We are moving forward with Phase One. 1. Studying and educating the citizens about the incorporation of a city is a process, this is part of that process. 2. We are moving forward and here is what is happening. 1. Defining the community 2. Defining the boundaries 3. We need community support and comments to make adjustments 4. Request elected officials introduce legislation for a City Charter so you will have the opportunity to vote!

27 Second phase Determine feasibility sustainable balance of commercial/residential to fund city without raising property taxes. We need to raise funds for the feasibility study The data we get back from the study will be evaluated If feasible, request elected officials to pass legislation incorporating the new city. If approved, the community votes by Referendum for or against the new city. If voters approve, we hold elections for city officials in 2018 City Government will be open for business in 2019

28 Cities in Henry County

29 Proposed New City of Eagles Landing

30 Divided Into 4 Voting Districts

31 Eagles Landing Communities It s all in the name. Why not make it official?

36 Cities must provide at least three of the following services, either directly or by contract - O.C.G.A (b) (A) Law enforcement; (B) Fire protection (which may be furnished by a volunteer fire force) and fire safety; (C) Road and street construction or maintenance; (D) Solid waste management; (E) Water supply or distribution or both; (F) Waste-water treatment; (G) Storm-water collection and disposal; (H) Electric or gas utility services; (I) Enforcement of building, housing, plumbing, and electrical codes and other similar codes; (J) Planning and zoning; and (K) Recreational facilities.

37 Proposed Services to be provided by Eagles Landing 1. Parks and Recreation 2. Zoning 3. Code Enforcement These services are initially proposed because they are the most widely discussed in our area

38 Eagles Landing Businesses Proud to call it home.

39 Already identify..

40 Something for everyone?

41 Collecting City Taxes Where does the money come from? Hotel/Motel tax Insurance premiums Business Licenses (Beverage, General, Police) Franchise fees that are not directly passed on to city residents (cable, electricity, gas, phone) and the county does not collect these fees. A portion of the sales tax the county collects

42 What services typically continue to come from the county after incorporation? Garbage/Sanitation* Fire and 911* Water and Sewer* Schools (Board of Education) Health Department Sheriff s Department County Jail Libraries * A fee-for-service activity with separate billing

43 If God be for it who can be against it?

44 Similar City Comparison Mountain Brook, AL Area: 12 sq. miles Population: 20,000 Per Capita Income: $130k/Household Notable People Chris Gray, Sports Figure Courtney Cox, Actor Kate Jackson, Actor Bart Starr, Sports Figure Adam Meadows, Sports Figure Alan Hunter, MTV DeeJay Tribble Reese, Actor Van Jones Philanthropist Eagles Landing Area: 11.9 sq. miles Population: 18,000 Per Capita Income: 100k/Household Notable People: Chris Tucker, Comedian Michael Cameron, Sports Figure Van Jakes, Sports Figure Herman Cain, National Radio Host Kristal Marshal, WWE Diva D. J. White, Sports Figure Brittany Glynn, Christian Writer Waka Soulja NAS, Rappers Catherine Mant, LPGA Golf Pro General Edwin Burba Army General

46 Attract More High End Shops with Higher Per Capita Area

47 Attract more high end Restaurants not just fast food

48 You Live Here Why not Work, Eat and Play Here

49 What is involved in creating a city? A grassroots organization- driven by the community (meeting like this one) Who are we? (communities of interest) Formation of working group and task forces (research, analyze) City Name and Boundary Drafting Data collection (county budgets, dept. expenses, etc.) Drafting of City Plan (services, building, government, taxes, etc.) Grassroots Work (task forces, panels, etc.) Feasibility study Legislation (could be a two-year process) Vote on Cityhood Referendum Establishment and Operation of City Government

50 Who is with Us? Standing Community Committee Al and Elizabeth Brantley Karry and Kaye Griffin Kendall and Amy Olson Jimmy and Susan Clowdus Kimberly Daniels Billy and Brittany Glynn Thomas Arnold John and Carmen Black Karen Cantrell Dr. Lucretia Payton-Stewart Dr. Clay Taylor Dr. Jenkins Chris and Cindy Hamby William and Vikki Consiglio Bill and Ann Herndon Rick and Cathy Mant Daryl and Charmayne Dobbins Dr. Tamica & Gabrielle Valliere-White Virginia Dixon Tom and Melanie Mertz Dr. Matthew and Dr. Pat Smith Alan and Bonnie Vigil Gerry and Dianne Harkins Tiffany Bush SINCE THE 2/23/17 MEETING MORE HAVE BEEN ADDED

51 MYTHS ABOUT STARTING A NEW CITY Legislation has already been introduced Map creates an entitlement community Creates an unfair voting block Will need a new tax to start the City. My property tax will automatically increase Creates poverty areas We are elitists Public doesn t have a voice

52 FACT WHAT CREATING A NEW CITY WILL DO Provide for more local control for development, code enforcement and planning and zoning Get franchise fees you already pay but don t get benefit of. Create a high per capita income area to attract high end businesses, retail and restaurants Provide a place of community citizens already relate to. Will use taxes already available to the city. NO NEW TAXES Provide 4 balanced voting districts representing ALL citizens Citizens have a voice by VOTING

53 If we build it, they will come.

54 Next Steps? Sign up on the Interest Sheet to stay informed Sign up on our Website Volunteer to help and serve in your community Contribute and help fundraise to fund the feasibility study Talk to your neighbors to share your ideas or to request a presentation to a neighborhood group Engage online (Facebook, Twitter)

55 Many thanks to all of those who reached out to us and provided inkind and financial assistance to date. All Questions will be posted on the website

SOME COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT INCORPORATION OF NEW MEXICO MUNICIPALITIES

P.O. Box 846 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-0846 Tel. (505) 982-5573 (800)-432-2036 Fax (505) 984-1392 www.nmml.org SOME COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT INCORPORATION OF NEW MEXICO MUNICIPALITIES -04 Revised 4/04 The