CED Annexation Policy Plan 1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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a. Additional Land The City must expand into areas that are capable of sustaining commercial, industrial and residential development. This will provide the City with the opportunity to compete with other developable areas, not only county -wide, but also on a regional and ultimately on a national level. The recent relocation of the National Steel headquarters is a prime example of the City not being able to have readily available land within the City limits that would have provided a viable alternative for this company. Other opportunities will be available, and the City must be in a position to respond. With the exception of the south side, the City has few areas within the City limits available and ready for new, contemporary residential develop- ment. This lack of developable land does not offer the opportunity for those wishing to locate, or even to relocate, within the City to construct a house of the same scale and quality as those being built in the County. By increasing the amount of available land, which has the full range of public services available, the City increases the opportunities for positive residential development. b. Additional Property Taxes The City must increase its property tax base. The additional taxes generated will contribute to the financing of the regional facilities built and maintained by City residents. Additional property taxes will also help to enhance and maintain the infrastructure that is required in order to promote efficient urban development. c. Increased Population Base An increased population base provides the potential for one of the most positive effects of annexation. The next decennial census is in the year 2000. An aggressive annexation program will help to stabilize, if not increase, the City's population growth. A population gain in the 2000 Census will reverse the population loss shown in the past three Censuses. Population can also be a prime factor in the distribution of federal and state funds. Many of the grants that the City actively pursues, including several on an annual basis, rely on funding formulae based in part on total population. Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds are two of the largest. Similarly, distribution of certain state revenue is based in part on the City's population. Some of these revenue sources include the Cigarette Tax, Alcohol Gallonage Tax, Motor Vehicle Highway Account and the Special Highway User Account. N.