February 17, 2009
The annexation committee of the Arab City Council is putting out the welcome mat for the neighbors surrounding the surrounding the City.  Councilman Johnny Hart, committee chairman, said the committee will begin a program to tell residents outside the city limits of the benefits of coming into the city.  The committee met February 13 for a planning session.  Hart said, "Mayor Beam shared his vision of growing Arab when we were first elected and we will be working to tell our story and grow our city.

Hart said any annexation efforts will be strictly a positive effort.  "A lot of people have contacted us asking about coming into the city limits  We know that we have a lot to offer the outlying areas but we aren't advocating pushing annexation on folks who don't want to come in.  It needs to be a win win for both the City and the residents." Hart added.  "Ideally we would like to have at least 70 to 80 percent of the residents in an area be in favor of the annexation."

Mayor Gary Beam said that he would like to concentrate initially on the area North and East of Arab.  Beam said he would like to see the city limits extended from the current boundary along the Eddy-Scant City Road to Mayberry Lane and then follow Mayberry Lane to Alabama Hwy 69 and then follow Shoal Creek Road to Brashiers Chapel Road which would connect with the current boundary on the Southeast side of Arab.  Beam said the annexation of the entire area would probably have to be done in phases.  He said the proposed annexation would "square up" the city limits and would prevent much of the piece meal annexation that has taken place over the years.  He said that method has made it very difficult for city departments and employees to know where the limits start and stop.

Beam said that a decision on how any annexations would be handled has not been made.  There are basically three methods of annexation that can be pursued.  The first, and the one used during the annexation of the Putter Circle area, is to hold a referendum of the property owners in the affected area.  If a majority of the eligible property owners vote for annexation the area would be annexed.  The second method would be to poll the property owners and if a majority desire annexation to ask the local legislative delegation to pass legislation annexing the area.  The third, and least desirable from the City's standpoint, is by petition from individual property owners whose property is contingent with the current city limits.

Hart said that the annexation committee hopes to set up public meetings with residents and property owners in the area to answer questions and to explore the benefits for both parties.  A brochure outlining the benefits of annexation was developed by the previous annexation committee.  Hart said they will likely refine the content of the brochure and build upon the work already done.  "We have a great tool produced by the previous council and annexation committee and we plan to update and hopefully make some improvements."

Hart outlined some of the benefits highlighted in the brochure such as, voting privileges in local elections and referendums, lower property tax, recycling service with trash collection, brush collection service, animal control services, increased real estate value, and  protection against nuisances and dilapidation.  Hart said that a big plus would be Arab school bus services and property tax benefits would benefit Arab City Schools.

Hart said that obviously the annexation of any area must be beneficial to all concerned.  "We would have to look at whether the increased tax revenue would offset the additional cost of providing services to the area."  Beam said that a new satellite fire station on the East side of Arab would likely be needed to provide fire protection.  A satellite station would likely be built on a parcel of land currently owned by the city and located between the Old Guntersville Road and the newer section of Hwy 69 near the Eastside industrial park. The land is part of the industrial park that was split off when the new road was constructed.

Hart and Beam said they invite anyone with an interest in annexation to contact them.  "We will definitely need the help of residents in the the areas to talk with their neighbors and help us spread the word." Hart said.