MADISON, Alabama — Annexation is underway at Clift Farm in Madison and leaders say the change will help connect the community.
Madison Mayor Paul Finley says the change is essential for the surrounding areas.
"It affects the community positively, because it helps us finish that interchange which is critical to Towne Madison our Trash Pandas this the Toyota Field." he said, "But, it doesn't bring in the additional housing that Clift Farm has."
Breland Companies, spokesman Joey Ceci says Publix used to be in the city of Madison. But the establishment later moved to the Clift Farm development which is "currently not in the City of Madison".
Mayor Finley said there are concerns about managing growth, but says there are plans in place to handle it properly.
"... that we don't overburden our schools. So, this is a win - win for the city, its sales tax revenue, without the additional students that might overpopulate our schools." he said.
Right now, Publix at Clift Farm is the only thing that will come into the city of Madison.
"Everything else is in Madison County." Mayor Finley said, "Obviously, we're all concerned that adds the burden of traffic upon highway 72 and that's why that's one of the main projects that all of us in Madison, Madison County and Huntsville are looking to improve is the six lane of highway 72."
Mayor Finley said, one of the questions they've had, is since there's already a fee in Clift Farm, does this add to that?
"... And the answer is no. that fee had never been added to Publix, knowing that this most likely was going to happen." he said, "So, this will stay at the normal Madison tax rate, no additional fees, and all of that goes to our citizens and in this case, finishing the ramps at 565 and ten Madison."