So, there are now threats being lobbed around by multiple people since this election. One in particular was made by Mr. Raines at the meeting on Monday night, and it is laughable, so pay attention. With a little bit of basic math, we can all learn what the true numbers are in relation to the Cleburne Road site and its impact on our city.
Now, to catch you all up a little bit, at the meeting Monday night Charles Raines made the statement that he did not understand why the city would be turning down a 6 Million dollar income stream on Harvest Point(impact fees, etc.) for fear of a 2 million dollar road improvement. Well, let's look at the impact fees that the city would collect on 1,200 units at Harvest Point (real numbers), and figure our what exactly they are used to do.
Here we go...
First off, developers are required to pay a variety of fees (which are later passed on to the home buyer). Impact fees are collected to help the city pay for the impact that would be made by that particular development (ie roads, increased police and fire protection, city services, etc.) Our impact fee is collected on a lot by lot basis at $500 + $.50 per square foot. So, let's plug in the numbers.
Let's take an average home size of around 2,000 square feet.
$500 + $1,000 = an average of $1,500 per lot in impact fees.
Now, there were a few over 1,200 lots proposed...so $1,500 x 1,200 = $1,800,000.00
Huh, I wonder where that other $4.2 million of revenue is going to come from? I think if you asked Mr. Raines, he would say water tap fees, sewer tap fees and building permit fees. That will create quite a bit of extra cash, but sadly that cash goes directly to something (like inspectors, equipment, etc) and is not able to be spent on road upgrades.
Now let's look at how this would REALLY impact the city, because a $2 million dollar road improvement is just the start. I guess maybe I am a little confused, because I cannot figure out how exactly $1.8 million over the next 15 to 20 years going to pay for a road in excess of $2 million AND an increased police and fire force (paid on a yearly basis)? That is a $300,000 shortfall in roads and who knows how much in additional city staff and equipment.
The facts just do not add up on this, so please spare me the threat Mr. Raines. Business will not be conducted as usual in this city from this week forward, so please cease with the intimidation and misinformation. We are all (including you) in this for the good of the city, and frankly the only one that was really doing the honorable thing was Mr. Crutcher. I believe he truly wants to do his part to get a school in this city, I just don't believe we are quite ready to put it there. The time to build a school west of the railroad tracks is still a few years away.
For those of you that were not there, two very interesting things happened. First of all, Mr. Crutcher presented the school board with the DEED to the proposed school site. No conditions, just the land, and THAT should be commended. With or without this development, the land is there for the school to use if they so choose. And speaking of that, our school board member Tommy Dudley, and the school board chairman Shaw Daniels both assured the BOMA that they had no problem placing the school on that site with or without a single road improvement.
I am not sure if you heard that correctly so I will repeat it. Mr. Daniels and Mr. Dudley expressed NO concern over that site as it is right now.
So what does that mean? It means that the Maury County School Board needs to stop with the threats about taking a school out of Spring Hill. They now have FIVE school sites located in Spring Hill (or Neopolis) and also have the deed to the site on Cleburne Road that they preferred from the beginning.
No more threats! I am sick of hearing it from Mr. Raines, and I am sick of hearing it from the Maury County School Board.
Put up or shut up!
...as for the other threats, I will get to those later!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Know Your Facts If You Threaten!
Posted by Gorilla in the Corner at 12:27 PM
Labels: Board of Mayor and Aldermen, County Government, Miscellaneous, Planning Commission
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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is a series of personal opinions and is not meant to reflect an official position by the City of Spring Hill.
27 comments:
Here's a threat that hasn't been used: How much money from the city's sales taxes goes to Maury County to build schools in other cities? What if all that money that we give the county were to suddenly stop?
Your right. Stop with the threats, the tax money will still go to the county for schools. With the improvements that were stated, that will come with this new development and school, such as police and fire, etc.., these things do not happen all at once. Your fire depsartment is set for many years with its existing manpower, and I am sure the police are close with there numbers. I believe the development is a 5 year plan, so stop trying to confuse the public to believing that all of a sudden, there will be all these homes and no infrastructure. The developer has already gone over and above by agreeing to upgrades some roads and intrersections in the area around the development. I would like to here of all the others who have put their money where it meets the roads for this city. Except for a few turn lanes, I haven't seen any road improvements by any developer that have made a difference. It seems to me, that there is a hidden agenda from some leaders to push so hard for this development to go somewhere other that Cleburne Rd. Who else owns property around the other proposed sites? I am not a fan of developers, I believe the lots are too small, and there are too many already, but that is not my issue. My issue is that by denying this developer his oppurtunity to provide nice homes, like "the other developers", you have descriminateds against him. Why??
Well, I can speak to that. Frankly, I think that I am starting to like Mr. Crutcher but that has nothing to do with the issue. The fact that he gave the school a deed to the property speaks volumes of his intentions.
My concern is that had we approved this (as is), we would be ignoring everything that we learned in the past and thrown our newly formed city plan out the window. We need to take care of several existing city roads long before we start adding MORE problem roads to the picture. IF the school still believes that they want this site, then by all means, build away. At least then everyone knows what they are getting into, and everyone can be held accountable.
The assumption that there is something in it for ME, to prop up a location in another part of the city is absolutely crazy. What is crazy is putting a school in an area or our city with very little growth (600 lots) vs. an area of our city that is booming (7,000 lots). The real question is...
Why are certain people in our community pushing so hard for a site that goes against our growth numbers and against our city plan?
Answer that for me.
anon 20:51
"Your fire depsartment is set for many years with its existing manpower,"
Are you joking?? The Spring hill fire department is not even set for area that they cover now. They do not meet the NFPA 1710 guidlines for staffing. The entire shift in Spring Hill is a first alarm structural fire assigment in Franklin. In the event of a working fire when all crews are involved in suppression duties they do not have a unit to assign as a rapid intervention team in the event of a downed fire fighter. If all of the companies are on a fire and you have another fire where is the manpower to come from then? This is not a negative comment about the crews in Spring HIll. I respect the hell out of the guys on shift. The threat is to them having to work with the mind set that people like you have.
The statement you made clearly shows a complete lack of even basic knowledge of the fire service. You should learn the facts first. Even better go volunteer somewhere, put some turnout gear on and see what it really takes to fight fires.
ole fire fighter
Ole Fire Fighter, email me when you get a chance. Thanks
Mike Dinwiddie
Thanks for catching that ole' fire fighter - I was set to chime in but you covered it well.
Ole Fire Fighter,
Another outstanding post. Thanks for givingn everyone that info.
If Spring Hill fire dept. is so short on man power why did they get rid of all the volunteers?
I don't know for sure, but I'm betting the reasons they got rid of the volunteers had nothing to do with having enough paid staff.
Why no mention of the education fund? That was great news.....
I heard that the reason they got rid of the volunteers is because the volunteers couldn't pass the physical training - which is strenuous.
Why don't you tell the readers how the City inflated the cost of the road improvements? Why would the City ask for 5" of asphalt to be put on top of an existing road? They should have asked for 2"to 3" which is normal for road work like this. I think it was to drive the price up so they could vote the site down.
Wouldn't the additional widened part of the road need at least that much to match the existing part of the road?
No, you build up the sides with base stone. The specifications asked for 5" everywhere not just the sides anyway.
Mr. or Mrs. knuckle walker, which ever applies,
The standards of the Maury County School System will never meet up to your standards. You certainly have the right to prefer living in Williamson County. As it stands, I am certain that most people in Maury County would prefer that you do also. I believe that even the fine educational system in Williamson County has failed you to some degree. It is evident that you must have been a spoiled brat who has always demanded your way. I do not believe you have any reason to disrespect the Maury County School Board or any of its members and certainly think you should not imply that every one in Maury County has not recieved a good education. Even if our educational system does not meet your standards, at least we can have a conversation without crying and moaning like you have.
I am glad to have someone like Mr. Dudley over someone of your stature anyday.
With all do respect, Mr. Dudley is the ELECTED school board member for Spring Hill's district in Maury County. That is why he was the chosen spokesperson. I also disagree with him but, he was there because Spring Hill elected him.
Any update on the Spring Hill Hospital?
I may be mistaken but, I think it was in the most recent County election last year. I don't know how long he has been a school board member. There are others hanging around here who surely do. I also want to add that Mr. Dudley is well loved by the parents I have met who have lived in Maury county more than a few years. He may not be a great orator but, from my couple of conversations with him it is evident he really does care about kids. As much as I disagree with him on the location of this particular school, I believe Mr. Dudley's intent was to try his best to help Spring Hill get a middle school here in town. I certainly don't understand the rush to take this particular site. It does seem like there are some really great sites offered in the areas of Spring Hill where the growth is currently peaking. Sorry I can't answer your question better.
I question why we only have one SH representative on a eleven (11) member school board with 80% of the student growth in SH?
I question why one half of SH's growing sales tax goes to the county school systems but is being spent on schools all over Maury County?
I question why Maury county schools need ten (10) schools at 354 million in today's dollars and they are not signing for all of these deed offers today?
The makeup of the Maury County School Booard consist of eleven districts. Each district has a similar total population. The Maury County Commission decided that the each district would be represented by 2 county commissioners and 1 school board representative. The district boundary lines are determined by the Maury County Election Commission. Each district is reapportioned every so often. The districts are not a reflection of the number of students or the expected growth of the student population for any of the districts. Williamson county operates on the same type system.
The division of sales taxes is determined by state law. The sales taxes collected in any city or county in Tn. is split the same way. The taxes collected on the Williamson County side are devided between the city and county.
Each and every piece of property being offered by any developer or individual is being considered for acceptance. There are many factors which that decision. The fact of whether a particular piece of property is suited for a school is number one. Other factors may include location, the need for a school in that area, the type school needed, the amount of usable property required for the type school, stipulations placed on the offer by the developers which have additional cost, the time frame requirements, other conditions placed on the site by any of the cities or county, guaranties that the infrastructure improvements will be at the site prior to the starting construction or prior to the completion of the school, development cost and any number of other conditions which may be revealed in a detailed site study. These are just a few of the items which have to be considered. It is not as simple as you may think.
Tommy Dudley was elected in August 2006, and is head and shoulders above our previous representative, Vince Springer, who had zero clout on the Maury County School Board.
Tommy's problem is that he placed too much stock in 'the Old Guard'. He now needs to recognize that the people have spoken... Smart Growth now trumps personal agendas.
Let's take it one at a time:
"The fact of whether a particular piece of property is suited for a school is number one."
The School Board has stated that the Cleburne Rd site is suited for a school.
"Other factors may include location,
The School Board has stated that Cleburne Rd is the BEST location.
the need for a school in that area,
The School Board has stated Maury needs a school on Cleburne Rd.
the type school needed,
The School Board stated it was a middle school that was needed.
the amount of usable property required for the type school,
The School Board stated that the Cleburne Rd site was the only site that offered enough land for the school.
stipulations placed on the offer by the developers which have additional cost,
The developer handed the deed over to the School Board lock, stock and barrel.
the time frame requirements,
The School Board said they were willing to begin construction on Cleburne Rd
other conditions placed on the site by any of the cities or county,
The city doesn't have that authority over the School Board.
guaranties that the infrastructure improvements will be at the site prior to the starting construction or prior to the completion of the school,
The School Board stated that the infrastructure was not a problem for a Cleburne Rd school.
development cost and any number of other conditions which may be revealed in a detailed site study.
The School Board did not state any other factors concerning Cleburne Rd.
They made such a big stink about it for so long and now they've owned the land for a week. This begs the question: WHY IN THE HELL HAVEN'T THEY STARTED BUILDING THEIR SCHOOL YET?!?!?!?
It has to be bid
"Let's take it one at a time:"
Did someone make one of Danny's boys mad?
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