Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Just for you Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,


Obviously I have information only privy to EVERYONE!

You?’ve asked where I ?“came up?” with a $900K impact fee figure, fare enough, cut and paste this into your web browser http://www.thisweeknews.com/thisweek.php?edition=Pickerington&story=thisweeknews/112405/Pickerington/News/112405-News-51680.html

If your too busy it says?…

?… including $916,420 generated through impact fees -- assessments the city charges developers to fund the additional infrastructure necessary to support the growth.

I really don?’t understand your utterances toward council members-elect. Are you that CONVINCED that someone not yet in office influenced this budget? That just is too off-base for me to respond.

My suggestion was to have an informed press get the Council packet ?…- pre meeting and ask INTELLEGENT questions to better report the information to US.

I also commented that Township gets an estimated $0 in ?’06 from impact fees.
Likewise the schools get a big goose egg.

From my viewpoint, I believe that is a mistake.
Do you think otherwise?
Do you think the developers can't afford it?
Do you support subsidizing residential development?

But, Thank You for ?“Welcoming?” me to this site?…Anonymous ...I don?’t know why as I?’ve been here before.



By Be real

Reply to Be Real

Dear Bea Reel,

A councilman-elect was quoted at a recent gathering as saying that he had the solutions to the city?’s budget woes. Said he was just waiting to take the reins to lead this city out of destitution. So no, I don?’t think he influenced it but will have a firm hand in ramming it down our throats with all its embedded nuances.

The press issue could be resolved with existing, sorry make that former staff. Until the new triad of terror fired the media officer, that could have easily been an assignment for her. However, according to one inside source at city hall, even she was only given information piecemeal and late to do much good. In order to garner favor with a minority member of council to (pardon the election-ism) purchase yet another vote, an agreement was struck between some existing and soon to-be elected officials to not renew the contract thus appeasing someone who will never matter. Sorry, I digress.

Correct on the township. They get zilch by their own choice. I heard Dunlap say at a candidate gathering that since no other home rule townships had yet tried impact fees, they wouldn?’t be the first. Even though they were advised that case law stood heavily in their favor, they said no. I can?’t wait until this site publishes the township candidates?’ campaign finance reports. Two other issues of note regarding impact fees ?– township officials also were asked if they would study impact fees if HB 299 passes and again they said no. No real reason given. Also the school board does not yet have three votes to look into impact fees if HB 299 passes. They think they will drive away all home building if they add another 3 grand or so to the price of a house. Hope you don?’t believe that driving away residential development will help the schools in the school?’s opinion.

Impact fees will never be developer-paid. Read the minutes of the meetings at city hall and you?’ll see that in both the cases of the home design regulations and impact fees, the BIA representatives said all additional costs would be passed on to the home buyer. One of the builder representatives, not Hilz from the BIA said something like if Pickerington thought they were punishing builders for events past, they were mistaken. Only those building new homes would pay.

No, I do not support subsidizing residential development. Do you?

And last, you?’re welcome. Didn?’t recognize your pseudonym from earlier postings.

House Bill 299

The School Board passed a resolution of support of HB299 at a meeting this fall - this was to be sent to the legislators. That would lead me to believe if HB299 passes they would be ready to act. Not sure where your information is coming from but I think it's wrong as it relates to the school board.

By Watcher

Response to Watcher

My information comes from the lips of two board members. A resolution of support for HB 299 is a great PC gesture. Two of them said they would not vote to enact impact fees if they were able.

It comes down to this - this district relies on, nay DEMANDS growth in enrollment. Perhaps not the numbers given by former city administrations and same old township administrations but they are reliant on growth.

Trouble is that the people (voters) who are, in essence, that growth aren't willing to pay to support themselves beyond what is mandated in property and income taxes. They feel that should be enough for their fair share. What can be done to change their minds so that paying the mandatory, plus the pay to play fees, plus the school supply fees PLUS more buildings?

Once they answer that question we can all sleep easier at night. Are impact fees the panacea? No but they'll put a heck of a dent in the deficit.