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Diamondhead
Incorporation Committee
Steering
Subcommittee
July 23, 2007
Dear Diamondhead Resident:
As you no doubt know, the
Diamondhead Property Owners Association Board
authorized a non-binding resolution to be taken as
part of the election process in June 2006.
Encouraged that 786 of the 1,193 property owners who
voted were in favor of incorporation, the incoming
Board created a committee to gather information on
the pros and cons of incorporation. An urban and
regional land planning consultant, Bridge & Watson,
and Jerry Mills, an attorney experienced in
incorporations and annexations, were hired as part
of this committee’s study.
The report that came out of
that committee convinced the Board that
incorporation is in the best interest of
Diamondhead. As a result, an Incorporation
Committee independent of the POA Board
has been formed. Only one member of the POA Board,
John Yarbrough, serves on this committee because he
chaired the information gathering process which has
given him an in-depth knowledge regarding
incorporation.
The study by the committee
included the processes of annexation and
incorporation and the pros and cons of each, as well
as specific concerns for Diamondhead. The study
evaluated city models allowed under state law, the
economics of incorporation including revenues, the
cost of a city government, and the impact on
property owners. The model city and budget were
developed in consultation with the urban planning
consultant and attorney.
The details regarding the
various issues surrounding incorporation such as the
process, the form of government, the relationship
with the POA, the responsibilities for amenities,
and the economic impact are many and complex. The
incorporation committee is putting together a series
of meetings to present all of this in an easy to
understand manner so that voters can make an
informed decision. Ultimately, the decision to
incorporate will be made by the registered voters of
Diamondhead, two-thirds (2/3) of who must sign a
petition in favor of incorporation.
Meetings will be held at the
Country Club ballroom on the following schedule:
Mon. 8/6: 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.;
Tue. 8/7 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Thu. 8/9 2 p.m. &
7 p.m.
Fri. 8/10 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Mon. 8/13 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.;
Tue. 8/14 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Wed. 8/15 2 p.m. & 7
p.m.
Thu. 8/16 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.;
Fri. 8/17 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Mon. 8/20 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.;
Tue 8/21 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Wed. 8/22 2 p.m. & 7
p.m.
Please plan to attend one of
these to learn the details and ask questions.
Check out
www.incorporatediamondhead.org to see a
list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Please keep an open mind until
you have heard the presentations and had your
questions answered.
Respectfully yours,
Diamondhead Incorporation
Steering Subcommittee
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