By Daniel L. Bamberg
Daniel@Centrevillepress.com
State Representative Gerald Allen, R-Cottondale has introduced a bill which would annex property into Lake View, which is also wanted by Woodstock. The representative will also introduce another bill with the same intention.
“That takes revenue away from us, which I oppose,” stated Woodstock Mayor Ricky Kornegay. His opposition is fueled by the idea that the annexation would remove two businesses from Woodstock’s police jurisdiction.
This legal dispute between Lake View and Woodstock has been going on for nearly a decade. Lake View lies near the Bibb and Jefferson County lines but within Tuscaloosa County while Woodstock sits within both Bibb and Tuscaloosa Counties.
Lake View’s town hall lies outside of their town limit due to a court ruling that kept previous annexation attempts at bay. Allen’s first bill introduced on Tuesday, February 2nd is an attempt to annex that property for Lake View. In the second bill, which he plans to introduce, Lake View will be attempting to annex an area close to an exit off of Interstate 20/59. That property maintains a few businesses already, including the Lake View sewage treatment plant. It is also an area seemingly destined for commercial growth. There is no secret however that Woodstock is concerned about losing the same area. Evidence shows the place is growing and while Woodstock may or may not gain residency losing this property will cost them in necessary potential sales tax revenue.
Kornegay also suggests that these two businesses, which Woodstock could lose in the potential annexation, are too far outside of the current Lake View town limits for this property to be in question.
As of press time Allen had plans for the week to seek consideration of the bills by the Tuscaloosa County legislative delegation.
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