Two Hamilton County residents addressed the Chattanooga City Council on Tuesday with concerns about the city's plan to annex parts of the county. The residents live in the Stonewall Farms subdivision, near Hixson Pike. They were joined by supporting members of their neighborhood.
Resident Gene Hay asked the Council who his future representative will be, and what services he will receive in exchange for an increase in property taxes.
"Our subdivision is up for possible annexation. And I'd like to know which one of you Council members is going to be responsible for that area, so we can find out what I'm going to get for my $150 a month that I'm gonna have to pay for city taxes—versus my $20 a month for garbage collection," he said.
Jerry Good, a plant manager at the local DuPont™ manufacturing plant, lives in the same subdivision. He told the Council that he chose to specifically live in the county after moving to the area one year ago: "I really love your community, it is now my community," he said. "One of the reasons I moved to that subdivision was, actually, because it was not in the city limits. It enjoys lower taxes."
Councilman Peter Murphy pointed out that Mr. Good currently uses existing City services even though he lives in the county. Mr. Murphy asked the resident, "You work in the City of Chattanooga, correct? You shop in the City of Chattanooga? And you enjoy our parks, you've been down to the Riverfront in the City of Chattanooga?"
In response, Mr. Good confirmed that he uses some City services.
The DuPont plant where Mr. Good works also enjoys tax breaks from the City, according to Council Chair Jack Benson. He said, "And your company got an inducement to move to Chattanooga with a reduction in taxes, so they would move here, and would employ city people, as well as county people. We'd like for you to join with us if that's what works out. We welcome you."
Councilwoman Pam Ladd represents District 3, which will likely include Stonewall Farms, once annexed. She told Mr. Hay and Mr. Good that she would speak with them after the meeting.
The Stonewall Farms neighborhood has not been brought into the city limits, yet. The mayor's office says that a timeline for annexation has not been determined at this time.
Annexation Debate Revived in April
The 2020 Urban Growth Plan provides the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency a roadmap to annex parts of the county into the city limits. The plan was ratified in 2001 by the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and surrounding municipalities as part of the state's efforts to control municipal growth and urban sprawl. The growth plan sat largely dormant for the next 8 years.
During his inaugural address in April 2009, Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield revived the topic while discussing "unity of vision and purpose" between the city and county.
"We began more than a decade ago. We prepared a plan with the county and other municipalities participating. It was a plan mandated by state law and it was something of a long and sometimes contentious process," he said. "It was back during the administration of Mayor Jon Kinsey and we all ultimately agreed on how our municipal boundaries would grow. It’s time to implement the growth plan—all of it. All of it."
David Morton
Willy Stanton on July 2, 2009
I lived near that subdivision for a while and if I remember correctly, it's only .5 to 1 mile from the city limits.
The council is right on that people who live in the county but work in and enjoy what the city has done are more or less free loaders. Stonewall is a upscale subdivision too, I can see their complaints if it were a poorer neighborhood getting annexed but geez.
I remember it being built, nice houses but they all look the same.
mwillingham on July 2, 2009
So I guess I'm a freeloader when I come in to town to visit Coolidge Park. I pay to park, I pay to eat, I pay for gas at Chattanooga gas stations. I guess we should tell all tourists they aren't welcome either, since they don't pay property taxes.
Willy Stanton on July 2, 2009
Yes I used the word "freeloader", "free rider" has about same meaning in this situation but has less kneejerk.
As a local resident you are more likely to visit more, but skip out on lodging and splurging on vacation-style activities like big dinners. I would venture to say your $/visit ratio is much lower than a tourist, so the argument doesn't fly at all. It's only one facet of the city/tourist/resident dynamic anyway.
Now that the strawman is out of the way, why is it difficult to accept that county residents (especially ones who do almost all of their living in the city) benefit from the city infrastructure without having to pay for it?
DavidMorton on July 2, 2009
I still need to write up a primer on how to score free parking in downtown Chattanooga.
As a city resident, the lines between Chattanooga and Hamilton County are very blurry. But I also know a few county residents that don't step foot in the city limits unless they absolutely have to.
mwillingham on July 2, 2009
But I eat out in Chattanooga daily. I buy gas in Chattanooga every time I buy gas. I also (hope I) contribute to the betterment of Chattanooga by being a productive worker (although not very productive while on Chattarati). I just think the city council is reaching with that excuse.
Lou Randall on July 2, 2009
The arguments about annexation have been the same since the 70's when the city of Chattanooga began flexing it's muscles and taking over more county property. The complaints about who pays are reruns. The best way to solve the problem of annexation is to make the county a metro county. Eliminate the boundries. Eliminate either the city council or county commission and start new with less politicians. Combine services and spread the costs among all that benefit.
Willy Stanton on July 2, 2009
Again, you are missing the point.
Why do you do all these things in Chattanooga? Obviously because employment, recreation, and infrastructure are there. The city has to entice employers, create public space and maintain it all. Your taxes paid on your daily value meal pale in comparison to the property taxes you ought (imho) be paying or if you rent, the increased rent.
Saying that you do all these things in the reinforces my point that you are a defacto City resident.
Willy Stanton on July 2, 2009
Do not let the secrets of parking out. :mad:
Allison on July 2, 2009
Combine all City and County services and government, it is way to fragemented. There are 11 or so police and fire jurisdications, not good when you need emergency services.
mwillingham on July 2, 2009
Ah ha! But I live in Georgia, so now what?
Willy Stanton on July 2, 2009
IQ test at the border will solve most problems.
mwillingham on July 2, 2009
You wouldn't want to do that, because then you wouldn't be able to use the Atlanta airport.
Oh, but I guess you don't use any of Georgia's infrastucture because you don't pay our taxes, so never mind.
Willy Stanton on July 2, 2009
Do Georgians all get this upset when someone makes a light joke or are you the one with the problem?
mwillingham on July 2, 2009
No, actually I thought it was pretty funny. In fact, I'll give you a "like".
DavidMorton on July 2, 2009
Scratch that. If you guys are cool with it, it's fine by me. Just trying to stay ahead of the curve.
Stephen42 on July 2, 2009
Great in theory, but you're assuming that multiple elected bodies would be willing to give up what little authority they have with. And do you really think that any of our current elected bodies would be capable of organizing such a massive effort? Remember these are similar arguments that were thrown around when the school systems merged. We all see how wonderfully that has worked out for us.