Powerful Forces are Opposed to Impact Fees

In 2004, the county asked for more money and 73% percent of Shelby County residents understood that annual reappraisals amounted to an annual tax increases, told them NO!! The fractured leadership is at odds with the populace of Shelby County

On February 24, 2003, I went before the commission and asked them to delay the vote on the referendum to raise your property tax.  I requested the commission appoint a committee to examine and propose a system of fees designed to offset the cost of growth imposed on the residents of Shelby County.  All citizen input was disregarded and the commission voted unanimously in favor of the referendum.  Once presented to the people of Shelby County, it overwhelmingly failed by a vote of 20,192 (No) to 7,522 (Yes) .

Hear what Commissioner Larry Dillard had to say on February 24, 2003 concerning "powerful forces" in Shelby County who oppose impact fees.  Ask yourself, why did the commission yield to those forces and vote for a referendum to raise your taxes?

One can judge the impact of the call for impact fees by observing the reaction of the groups most opposed to impact fees.  That most prominent among those groups is The Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders.  Through the  Alabama Builders PAC, money is distributed to the candidates.

The powerful and wealthy Alabama Builders Political Action Committee contributed $14,950 to 2008 Shelby County Commission and municipal candidates:

AL Builder PAC 10 Day Report Primary Election 2008.pdf

AL Builder PAC 45 Day Report Primary Election 2008.pdf

AL Builder PAC 45 Day Report General Election 2008.pdf

Since 2004, the Alabama Builders PAC has contributed over $51,000 to Shelby County state, county, and municipal elections, more than any other county.  The Home Builders would prefer that you continue to tax yourselves to pay for growth.  They feel that you should buy and build the infrastructure that makes Shelby County attractive and creates the market for their activities.  They are happy to ride the taxpayer and saddle us with even more taxes.

For more information go to the web site of the Alabama Secretary of State.

Alabama Builders Political Action Committee