I have made it my policy to remain silent on the actions of the current Board of Commissioners. As I made the decision not to run for re-election, return to the private sector and allow new citizen leaders to run the county, I thought it best to remain silent to allow them to do the work of the County. While I have not agreed with many of the new policies, one policy proposed — to gut the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance — has caused me to re-enter the public forum. A strong Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance is paramount to protecting us from higher tax rates to pay for infrastructure, maintaining safe roads, and protecting our schools. The current proposal transfers costs to citizens, lowers road standards and overcrowds schools.
Development has a cost. Everyone must agree we will need roads, schools, sewer and other infrastructure to support new projects. If we lower standards, the need for the infrastructure does not subside. Simply put, we will pay for it one way or the other. We will pay with higher taxes, poorer roads, overcrowded schools and greater needs. Why should the County pay the bill for developers?
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