Annexation Promises

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Mon, November 03, 2008 - 7:43 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, November 03, 2008 - 7:59 pm CST

Josephine Atkins' family has lived in the same Theodore neighborhood for sixty years. When asked if she wanted to join the city of Mobile, her answer was yes.

"We enjoy the city," says Atkins. "Free garbage pick up, free ambulance, EMS, all the emergency services," she says.

For James Whitfield, who lives just down the road, it was the idea of a new park that put him in the city's corner.

"That's something for the kids to keep them out of a lot of trouble" says Whitfield.

Whitfield and Atkins voted for the annexation map, which included their neighborhood and the high commercial area of Tillmans Corner. Businesses in the area are now bracing for a 1 1/2% to 2% sales tax hike, while residents are waiting for city services to begin.

"We haven't heard anything yet, but I think it's coming," says Atkins.

News Five contacted city officials to find out when Mobile will start delivering on the annexation promises and when residents can expect to start paying higher taxes. Mobile Mayor Sam Jones' office declined an interview about the status of the annexation, but operators at the city's 311 information line are telling residents city services like garbage pick up will not begin until February 2009. Mobile County's license commissioner says you can expect to start paying a higher sales tax next month.

"Those are targets," says Councilman John Williams, who represents the city council district closest to the newly annexed area. Williams insists the city is waiting for new trash cans before it can start the garbage pick up in the annexed area.

"My goal is that we become so good at city services that we're not having to go out and ask people to join our city," says Williams.

Williams insists the city is already stepping up police and fire protection in the annexed area, even though the homes and businesses were already in police jurisdiction before the vote.

As for the street lighting promised by the city, a spokesperson for Alabama Power tells News Five they have an order for 200 new lights that will be installed as early as this week.

Opponents of the annexation plan, who claim the city gerrymandered the lines to ensure an outcome in favor of the plan, say they will file a lawsuit. The city's 2007 annexation is still tied up in the Alabama Supreme Court.

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JudyH Says:

Tue, Jan 13, 2009 at 9:12 am

Speaking of promises, from what I just heard the City is taking back it’s promise to give the school system any tax dollars lost due to the annexation. The article is on the Press-Register’s website: http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/123184178628340.xml&coll=3 entitled
“Mobile council committee vote: Money to schools is a loan, not a gift”

I believe the City Council is going to discuss and vote on the issue at their meeting today.

cmb1 Says:

Tue, Nov 04, 2008 at 7:50 am

Surprise Surprise they have nothing to say SAM whats the problem?

Alabama Patriot Says:

Tue, Nov 04, 2008 at 7:28 am

Sam Jones’ office *declined* to speak to the media. Already he is dodging the issue. He got what he wanted, and providing the services is no longer a high priority for him. The people that commented in the news article will probably be able to get tax exemptions for the cost of the new services, as well as the property tax increase, so they don’t care about what it this annexation will cost them. It is the younger residents of the annexed areas that will bear the cost of the improvements that *might* be made in their neighborhoods and especially in downtown Mobile. Those improvements in downtown Mobile will most definitely take place, even if the promised improvements in the annexated areas never take place. All the costs of the so-called *free* services are hidden in the increased sales taxes, car license fees, electric bills, grocery bills, as well as property taxes and all other fees that the mayor can impose on the residents in and around the annexed areas.