Eclectic is cleaning up its boundaries

Over the years, the city limits of Eclectic have expanded but not always following parcel boundaries.

Now, the Town of Eclectic is trying to fully annex into the town limits the remainder of approximately 180 parcels across the town.

“For example there is one three-acre parcel where only 0.6 acres are in the town limits,” Eclectic Mayor Gary Davenport said. “This will bring all three acres into the town limits.”

The remaining 179 parcels are similar with portions in the town limits.

There are three parcels that are proposed to be annexed that are outside the town limits but fully surrounded parcels within the town limits.

The town is currently advertising the measure to do the annexation by legislation. 

“It makes it easier and cleaner this way,” Davenport said.

The other ways to annex property is by public referendum or by property owners coming to the council and petitioning to be annexed.

Davenport said the annexations are not a method to get more funding for the town. Davenport said the tax collected by the town would remain as is for the property owner until the use of the property changes.

“If they sell it, develop it or something along those lines, then it will be taxed accordingly,” Davenport said.

There are other reasons for the annexations. Davenport said the town has had property owners come to the town wanting to be annexed into the town by petition, but their property was contiguous to partial parcels in the town limits. In this case, contiguous to the portion of the parcel outside the town limits.

Town leaders will now need to be aware of the parcel descriptions going forward.

“We just have to make sure we annex full parcels going forward,” Davenport said. 

The advertising must be done in order for the Alabama legislature to consider the local legislation. 

“We are trying to meet the deadlines to get in this session,” Davenport said.