Annexation Information and Answers

YES. When an annexation is proposed, (whether by private citizens or the City government) the landowners of the area are notified. This is because the landowners usually have a meeting with city officials to express their opinions about annexation. If the property is contiguous to the incorporated limits and the landowner desires annexation, an annexation petition is prepared and signed.

ALABAMA ANNEXATION LAW PROTECTS THE RIGHTS OF PROPERTY OWNERS. Annexation occurs using strict procedures under the Alabama law. In order to start an annexation, some or part of the proposed area for annexation must be contiguous the town’s existing borders. The Landowner must agree by signing a petition for annexation. The petition is sent to the Town of Summerdale Council for approval. Then, and Ordinance is drafted and adopted and the Town accepts the properties into its corporate limits.

Your property taxes will increase. The Town of Summerdale has a five (5) mil tax. This will be added to the current taxes that are imposed by the State and County.

Calculating Your Property Taxes
Market Value * Assessment Rate % = Value * Millage/Levy=Tax – Exemption = Property Tax

Assessment Rate or Ratio (AL Legislation established the following ratios):
Class I: 30% – Public Utilities
Class II: 20% – Includes Apartments, commercial and industrial properties
Class III: 10% – Single Family, owner-occupied homes or condos, farm and timber
Properties

Comparisons of other Municipalities ad-valorem tax

BAY MINETTE 12.5 Mills + Hospital 2.0 Mil
DAPHNE 15.0 Mills
ELBERTA 5.0 Mills
FAIRHOPE 15.0 Mills
FOLEY 5.0 Mills
GULF SHORES 5.0 Mills
LOXLEY 6.0 Mills
ORANGE BEACH 4.0 Mills
ROBERTSDALE 5.0 Mills
SILVERHILL 10.0 Mills
SPANISH FORT 5.0 Mills
SUMMERDALE 5.0 Mills

YES. Your child will continue to attend the same school. School districts do not change due to municipal annexation. However, the Town of Summerdale is working with Baldwin County Board of Education to promote the Summerdale School within its corporate limits.

YES. Annexation generally means growth for the area through new construction. Since most annexations contain some undeveloped land, eventually development of that land adds to the tax base of the school district. Of course, until the development of vacant lands occur, the effect on the school district is neutral – the schools continue to receive the same funding from the annexed land as before.

NO. The Town has no plans to force assessments for sewer improvements. Sewer line extensions will only occur by request from and paid for by the developer.

YES. The Town of Summerdale must allow you to continue any legal use of your land that you maintained in the unincorporated area. Your current zoning classification will continue or can be modified with the signed petition initial zone request.

Yes, YOU BENEFIT. Farming has long been a vital part of the Town of Summerdale’s commercial and cultural heritage. To date, a number of landowners in the Town have requested and received agricultural zoning. Typical “city” restrictions are relaxed or removed for agricultural lands in the Town. You can still farm commercially, hunt, fish, trap, discharge firearms, and perform all the farming functions as in the county. And, Town services and amenities are available.

CITY GOVERNMENT IS MORE RESPONSIVE TO YOUR NEEDS. A city is run by a Mayor elected every four years, and five Council-Members elected every four years.

Mayor – David Wilson
1-Myles Bishop
2-Norma Giles
3-Mary Carolyn McDaniel
4-Travis Townsend
5-Cheryl Stewart
The Town Clerk is available to assist all departments during regular business hours at the Town Hall along with a staff of full time employees to provide the services and amenities that are a part of town life. Because the town has “home rule”, an important Constitutional right, and the citizens have an active voice, your Town Council makes the laws that apply to the corporate limits.

County Government is run by a four-commission government with no one commissioner to represent you specifically. They are to be elected countywide and may not reside close to your current district. Therefore it is more difficult to provide a high level of services for their citizens. With the Urbanization of Baldwin County, many feel that the County Government is not responsive to their needs.

YES. Town Government provides many services. The Town of Summerdale provides Community development, Zoning protection, Building department, Economic partnership development, Street department, Safety, Water department,  Mosquito control, Provides street lights to its residents, Building and Zoning inspector, Round the clock Police, Fire Emergency Protection with a fire classification rating of “5” which is not offered outside the incorporated limits.

Contact the Mayor or just go by Town Hall and pick up a copy of the form to petition your land. We are here to assist you in getting your annexation area proposed and incorporated into the corporate limits.

Have more questions? CALL:
David Wilson, Mayor
Office: (251) 989-6202
Home: (251) 989-6658