Council still weighing annexations

Annexation will be a topic during Madison City Council’s work session on June 15. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Debate continued about annexation and its effect on school funding at Madison City Council’s June 13 meeting.

Dr. Terri Johnson, President of Madison Board of Education, presented the school board’s resolution to request the city to refrain from annexing any residential property until the dispute with Limestone County has been resolved about education taxes. The dispute has resulted in a shortfall of revenue for Madison City Schools.

“Stopping annexation is not the solution because, short term, we have plenty of inventory to continue to build,” Council President Tim Holcombe said. District 4 Councilman Mike Potter said he agreed with postponing annexation, not stopping permanently, until the school systems settle the tax dispute.

District 5 Council Tommy Overcash said many nuances exist. “We as the governing body need to come up with guidelines that we can stand on and go forward,” Overcash said in requesting to table annexations until guidelines are finalized. Council will discuss annexation at its work session on June 15.

District 2 Councilman Steve Smith requested suspension of rules to expedite refinancing for a school bond. Madison Board of Education needs to refinance a loan to lower interest rates to 2.90 percent.

Council made the following bill payments:
* Recreation facility and natatorium, $33,500 to Volkert & Associates, construction management.
* Construction of Madison Public Library, $1,530 and $4,700 to OMI Inc., professional services.
* County Line Road – Phase II, $27,014.01 to Littlejohn, an S&ME Company, engineering services.
* Cedar Acres Road, $42,638.44 to Limestone County Commission, neighborhood paving.
* Huntsville-Brownsferry Road, $10,247.20 to Limestone County Commission, road striping.

Mayor Troy Trulock said Art 4 Paws and Disc Dog competition raised money for Madison Animal Rescue Foundation (MARF); Party in the Park raised funds for Madison Hospital emergency room; and Madison Chamber of Commerce’s “Taste the Spirit of Madison” was successful.

Potter’s request was approved for $3,000 to stripe Pension Row to reduce speeding and $10,000 for storm piping to extend Coefer Road at the new Kroger property to Plaza Boulevard.

During public comments, resident Pete Mills expressed concern about building codes and permits that only cover buildings and not sidewalks and driveways. David Hergenroeder said the Madison 10/5K run went well on June 11.

City Council will have a work session on June 15 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.