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From: Tracy Elliott [mailto:Tracy@alliedbank.net]
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:29 PM
To: Larry Mitchell
Subject: FW: Annex
Larry,
I do understand and respect growth but also don't want to be in the city limits of Benton nor Bryant, as I know you understand as well... I stopped and visited with 9 families living on Stonehedge and also some on Samples Road where the Bryant proposed annexation area lies. Only 1 of the 9 families received any letter(s) from Bryant prior to the letter we all received at the end of last week, and the family that did receive previous letter(s) lives on Samples at Snow Lane. Seems the letters didn't come as far down Samples as Zuber Road nor down Zuber Road to Wise Road. Which means, in short, that we were not given notification of any meeting for discussion, etc. Do you have plans for any other meetings or have we "missed our chance" to voice our opinions to city officials?
My mailing address is:
8818 Stonehedge Trail
Benton, AR 72019
501-316-2224
I am requesting that you give me meeting times, dates, etc., on any discussions, open to the public of course, that would affect the proposed annex area. I would also like an accurate map of the proposed annex area. Maybe I should say a more detailed map as the one on your website does not seem to have all the streets indicated.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation
Tracy L Elliott
From: LaVenia Jones [mailto:ljones@cityofbryant.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 3:49 PM
To: Tracy Elliott
Cc: Larry Mitchell
Subject: RE: Annex
Ms. Elliott,
Thank you for your note concerning the special election to Mayor Mitchell. He forwarded it to me to respond to you about any planned meetings the Planning Commission or City Council may conduct in the future concerning the special election annexation.
As you probably know, when the City of Benton announced the adoption of their special election ordinance, by state law ACA 14-40-303, Bryant had 30 days to respond in answer to that action. We therefore had no chance to set up those kind of informational meetings as we typically do. So other than the posting of agenda's on our website, the news coverage via Benton Courier, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and the TV stations (all local channels), there was no time for mail-out notification.
We took many phone calls from people in our planning area and many people came to the city council meeting on the night the Bryant Council discussed proposed action the city might take. All the people in attendance from that area spoke asking Bryant to hold a special election to let them choose which city they would be annexed to. The Council responded by adopting the special election ordinance for the area shown on our map posted on the website. The Bryant City Council's regular meetings are on the second Thursday and the fourth Monday of every month and they do welcome public comments and have a place on their agenda for anyone that would like to speak to them.
Although Benton has repealed their ordinance calling for the special election for the Salem area properties, it is our understanding they plan to adopt another ordinance calling for a special election on October 14 for the North Lake Area.
Since election procedures require documentation to be sent to the County Election Commission according to state required timelines, that process began the day after adoption of the ordinance and it is unlikely the Bryant Council will change course unless Benton drops their plans for annexation altogether of this area.
The map posted on Bryant's website is the most detailed map we have. I am not aware of any streets not shown unless there are some private driveways not depicted. I just visited the Google Map website and did not see any road we left out, however, sometimes some web browsers may not pick up everything so I will mail you a copy of the only map we have.
If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.
LaVenia Jones
Planning Coordinator
City of Bryant
210 SW 3rd Street
Bryant, AR 72022
Phone 501-847-5559 ext. 227
Fax 501-847-2787
From: Tracy Elliott [mailto:Tracy@alliedbank.net]
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 9:20 PM
To: LaVenia Jones
Cc: Larry Mitchell
Subject: RE: Annex
LaVenia,
Thank you for the detailed reply. Do I understand this to mean that if Benton decides to not annex this area, Bryant would drop their annexation proposal? I have owned property here for 28 years and never considered that I lived in any community other than Salem community. Certainly never considered myself being in the North Lake area.
Tracy
From: LaVenia Jones [mailto:ljones@cityofbryant.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:32 AM
To: Tracy Elliott
Cc: Larry Mitchell
Subject: RE: Annex
Tracy,
The decision to drop the annexation proposal would only be up to the City Council and I couldn't say what that decision would be but, since Benton has made such an issue of this area being needed to construct their water tower I personally don't think it is likely they will drop it.
LaVenia
From: Tracy Elliott [mailto:Tracy@alliedbank.net]
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 12:23 PM
To: LaVenia Jones
Cc: Larry Mitchell
Subject: RE: Annex
LaVenia,
Does Bryant have any plans to construct a water tower in the North Lake area? Also, what would our millage rate be if annexed into the City (North Lake area). Do you anticipate an additional millage increase if the North Lake area annexation is passed?
What is the percentage of franchise tax that would be added to our utility bills, including telephone and cable TV, that would be forwarded on to the City of Bryant, assuming the annexation passed?
Tracy
From: LaVenia Jones [mailto:ljones@cityofbryant.com]
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 1:47 PM
To: Tracy Elliott
Subject: RE: Annex
Tracy,
Bryant does not have plans for a water tower in the North Lake area.
Bryant's millage is 1.9 mills citywide - it has been that rate since 1989 (almost 20 years). There are no plans to increase it.
Franchise fees are 5% on gross sale.
Thanks to Tracy Elliott for obtaining and sharing this information with us.