Tip O' The Hat
I'll give Clark one thing, though... He's masterfully set up the other Commissioners to (possibly) take a fall in upcoming elections. Here's the layout:
Remember when there was all the discussion about adding 1-mil to the property taxes? It looked like it was going to pass. I mean, "How could they not pass it?" thought everyone, including Clark. The county finances were in a shambles. It was either raise taxes or hit the reserves. Clark knew there was no other option but to raise taxes. But, he was (genuinely) surprised when the vote came out that everyone else on the Commission voted against it. (Granted, they thought they could slip in a "public safety fee"and not call it a tax ... but that didn't work.)
So, move forward to the Impact Fee debate. Clark has once again positioned himself as the only one looking out for the current residents... asking only that new houses pay their "fair share" by paying a new housing tax. Clark knows the Impact Fee proposal was flawed, ignored economic development requirements, and would likely be immediately challenged -- very expensively -- with lawsuits. But, that didn't deter Clark... No, he knew that it would be voted down. But, by voting for it, he gets to say he's a better man, looking out for the locals.
Mark my word: Clark is going to use this as a rallying cry for the CAVE dwellers, with him as their (hopefully) SOLE COMMISSIONed leader. "The other commissioners wanted to raise taxes," Clark will assert. "And, they refused to make new residents pay their fair share!"
I can only hope and assume that the majority of voters are now aware enough of Clark's regressive and ultimately self-serving agenda (he does own an awful lot of land) so as not to be taken in by his smoke and mirrors.
Look past the blind bluster and see the agenda for all its glory... it's backward... it's hurtful... and it's damning for the future of Catoosa County.
Impact Fees - The Final Battle
Congratulations to the County Commissioners who voted against the Impact Fee Ordinance. They have made the correct decision, despite vocal, if uninformed support for the new fees. Most enlightening about the process, however, was how out of touch Chairman Clark is regarding the issue. Clark acknowledges the upside-down tax base in Catoosa County, being two-thirds residential and one-third business. Yet no one, including Clark and his minions, believes the new fees would do anything to impact the pace of residential growth in the County.
The problem in the County is not residential growth. The problem is in the lack of support for economic development. Businesses pay the way for residents by contributing far greater revenues and jobs than the cost of the services they consume. Houses, on the other hand, demand significantly more in services (e.g. schools, roads, recreation, police and fire protection, etc.) than they contribute with property taxes.
If Commissioner Emberson’s numbers are correct (and I assume that they are), a majority of county residents do not work in the county. Thus, the county picks up the tab for their residential services, but does not receive the benefit of hosting their jobs (i.e. the business). Commissioners Emberson, Gracy, Marks and Winters all understand that the solution to the problems facing this county is not in the form of Clark’s new housing tax. Rather, they understand that the solution must come from elsewhere.
Catoosa County will be able to afford the demands made by its residents only by stimulating local economic development. Cutting County services can only go so far before the community suffers. This County must invest in tomorrow, rather than simply trying to pay for today.
Several groups, lead by the Chamber of Commerce, the local Homebuilder’s Association, and the Economic Development Authority, are attempting to focus the community discussion on positive, constructive ideas for shaping a better tomorrow for Catoosa County. Discussion about county-owned industrial parks, long-term visioning, regionalism and other future-oriented issues are all on the table.
Chairman Clark, as evidenced by last night’s vote, demonstrated his willingness to be a sole commissioner (Be afraid!) wanting to take the County down a path that neither solves a problem nor creates opportunity for a better future. His leadership, devoid of vision and insight, ignores the obvious solution: Instead of cutting the budget for Economic Development, this County needs to invest heavily in attracting, growing and retaining new and existing business to Catoosa County. Such investment may require realignment of near-term priorities. However, the long term rewards will more than make up for any short-term sacrifices.
Final Score on Impact Fees:
Citizens for a Positive Future: 1
Blind "Sole Commissioner" Wannabes: 0
