Welcome
Little Italy Incorporation
Town Hall Meeting
Discussions
Q&A
Petition Signing
Background
• This is a grassroots effort – who?
– Your neighbors
• Started over 2 years ago – why?
– To preserve the 100-year history – keep the
community intact
– To improve services
– To have a voice and protect our interests
What does incorporation
mean for me?
• Increased involvement in regional decisions
– Municipal League/MetroPlan
• Having a voice in local decisions
– Town Council elected by residents to serve
residents
• Increased property values
• Increased negotiation rights with utilities
– Lower rates due to competition
• Increased public services
– Police, Fire, Road Maintenance, etc.
• Developing laws that meet the needs of local
residents, not what Pulaski County or Little
Rock leaders deem appropriate “for our own
good”
• Creating a local disaster plan to aid residents
if a disaster occurs
Increased Public Services
• Pulaski County receives state “turn-back”
funds for each mile of highway
– Little Italy would receive those funds
• Pulaski County receives property taxes on
land parcels
– Little Italy would receive portions of these funds
• Pulaski County receives Franchise fees from
utilities who operate in our area
– Little Italy would receive these funds
Now that you know what funds the county
receives on your behalf, think about how
often you have seen the county use these
funds to your benefit…
It’s pretty hard to think of examples,
isn’t it?
What could the town of Little
Italy do with these funds?
• Establish a local police force
– Faster response times
– Increased protection
– Enforce speed zones (produce further revenue from citations)
• Increase efficiency and capability of local
Fire Department
– Faster response time
– Possibly lower insurance rates
– Decrease property damage due to better equipment
• Establish City Works Department
– Maintain local roads often neglected by the County (clearing ditches, tree
trimming, etc)
– Help ease burden of AR Hwy. Dept by plowing snow in the winter from highways
and other roads
– Eventually pave unpaved roads for easier access
Municipalities are eligible for
State and Federal grants
Grants could be written for:
– Waste-water services
– Local Historical Preservation
– Recreational Services
• Bike-lanes to increase highway safety, Parks, etc.
– Safety Concerns
• Public Tornado Shelters, Emergency/Tornado
Sirens, Community Crime Watch, etc.
What does incorporation NOT
mean for me?
• NO new taxes or increased taxes UNLESS our
residents choose
• NO loss of rights, whether personal or property
• NO negative change in current services, only an
increase
• NO additional cost to residents
Maybe you want things
to stay the way they’ve
always been.
• Too late. The city of Little Rock is moving
this way according to Pulaski County
Judge Buddy Villines and has already
enacted zoning on you effective this April
2014.
• Zoning makes annexation easier for the
city, which could come at some point in
time... but incorporation would prevent
annexation by another city or town.
Town of Little Italy
BUSINESS PLAN 2014-2015
Specifically, the business plan is intended to do
the following:
•
State clearly the mission of the town of Little Italy.
•
Set the direction and priorities that a Mayor and Town Council will follow.
•
Act as a basis for determining resource management of the Town.
•
Serve as an accountability framework for the Mayor and Town Council.
•
Detail what the Mayor and Town Council will be held accountable for and
how each requirement will be measured.
•
Provide a clear direction to ensure a strong and protected future for the town
of Little Italy.
Mission Statement
The town of Little Italy will establish and maintain an
honest, fair and transparent system of self-governance
for its people, grounded in the inalienable rights of civic
participation and equality for all citizens to freely choose
what is most appropriate to ensure their rights of life,
liberty and property, while preserving the cultural and
historical heritage of our area’s founders.
LITTLE ITALY ADVANTAGES
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Rich and proud 100 year history
Strong community spirit
Beautiful views of Maumelle Reservoir, natural and unspoiled wooded
areas, wildlife
Close proximity to Little Rock, Roland, Bigelow
Safe, secure water supply from Thornburg/Perryville Water and the city of
Little Rock’s Central Arkansas Water
Safe community with existing county’s police, fire, and emergency services
Utility services such as Electric, Telephone, Internet
Committed volunteers who are deeply rooted in the community
Historic Catholic Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the spiritual center of the
original Italian settlers, their descendants, and the community for over 90
years; as well as a community gathering place for their well-known annual
spaghetti dinners and bazaars
Martindale Baptist Church, Soul’s Anchor Church, Fellowship Assembly,
Wye Mountain Methodist Church – all providing spiritual and community
enrichment
LITTLE ITALY OPPORTUNITIES
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Prevent annexation by any city
Protect property rights
Clearly define Little Italy objectives and expectations by people who live in
Little Italy and not bigger city government
Make decisions about town planning/development of the area with a Little
Italy Planning Board and not by the Pulaski County Planning Board by
adopting own municipal zoning plan by following the legal statutory process
Revenue potentials from State Turnback funding, highway, franchise fees,
grants
Encourage active participation in local and national politics through voter
registration drives and involvement
Enhanced tourism potential (nature trails, museum shop)
If desired, join the Arkansas Municipal League which provides services to
towns in the state of Arkansas (i.e. legal protection services, consulting,
benefits services etc.)
Support and encourage Exxon pipeline relocation from the Watershed
LITTLE ITALY OBJECTIVES
After incorporation, the new town of Little Italy’s initial
objectives:
•
Objective 1: Secure Signed contracts with Patrol, Emergency (fire), Public
Works, Utilities
•
Objective 2: Hold elections for Mayor, Recorder/Treasurer,
and 5 Town Council Members or Aldermen.
•
Objective 3: Become a member of the Arkansas Municipal League.
•
Objective 4: Update Business Plan.
•
Objective 5: To annex the Perry County side of Little Italy via vote of the
people being annexed.
Sample Budget: based on a
similarly sized town of Bigelow
2015 CITY GENERAL BUDGET
Estimated Balance Dec. 31, 2014
$ 2,450.00
INCOME:
County Tax Collected
State Municipal Aid
Franchise Tax Collected (optional)
Sales Tax Collected (optional)
TOTAL ESTIMATED AVAILABLE FOR 2015
$ 8,500.00
$ 5,400.00
$ N/A
$ N/A
$ 16,350.00
EXPENSES:
Salary/Labor/Payroll Taxes (optional – planned to use volunteers)
Utilities/Phone
Supplies/misc.
Insurance (optional) N/A
TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENSES FOR DEC. 31, 2015
ESTIMATED BALANCE Dec.31, 2015
$ N/A
$ 2,500.00
$ 6,500.00
$ 9,000.00
$ 7,350.00
Sample Budget cont...
2015 STREET FUND BUDGET
Estimated Balance Dec. 31, 2014
$ 2,464.00
INCOME:
County Road Tax Collected
State Municipal Aid
TOTAL ESTIMATED AVAILABLE FOR 2015
$ 2,328.85
$ 15,500.00
$ 20,292.85
EXPENSES:
Repairs/Supplies/Misc.
Labor
Insurance
Utilities
Fuel
TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENSES FOR DEC. 31, 2015
$ 3,000.00
$ 1,000.00
$ 3,500.00
$ 4,600.00
$ 800.00
$ 12,900.00
ESTIMATED BALANCE Dec. 31, 2015
$ 7,392.85
Incorporation Facts
• The State of Arkansas recognizes its
incorporated communities in three separate
categories: cities of the first class (or first-class
cities), cities of the second class (or secondclass cities), and towns. These categories are
mostly determined by the population of the
communities and the size of the city or town
government.
• A town will have fewer than 500 residents,
and therefore an incorporated Little Italy will be
proposed to be a town.
• The newly incorporated town of Little Italy
does NOT have to collect taxes from its
residents; however incorporated cities and
towns can collect taxes, if so desired, from their
residents, but only by an approved vote by the
people of the town.
• The newly incorporated town of Little Italy
can continue to use the police, fire,
emergency services, and current utilities;
however, towns can offer their own city services,
including police and firefighter protection and the
maintenance of roads.
• A town has a mayor, a board of five
aldermen, and a recorder-treasurer.
• Little Italy does NOT have to appoint a
marshal; however, a town may elect or appoint
a marshal.
• Cities are divided into wards, with one or more
aldermen elected by each ward, but the five
aldermen of a town are elected by all the
voters of the town, as will be the case with
Little Italy.
Incorporation Process
• A group of people in Arkansas not living in
an incorporated city or town may seek to
become incorporated, provided that they are
at least five miles from the nearest
incorporated city or town.
– If that nearest city or town is less than five miles
away, a physical barrier between the community
seeking incorporation and the nearest incorporated
city or town is considered sufficient reason to permit
incorporation. Permission from the existing city or
town can also permit incorporation within the five-mile
limit.
• Because there is no physical barrier between
the proposed Little Italy boundary and the
towns of Bigelow and Fourche, a five mile
resolution was required both from Bigelow
and Fourche, since they are within the five mile
limit of the proposed Little Italy border. These
have been obtained and acknowledged before a
notary public.
• The group seeking incorporation must
present a petition signed by at least twohundred qualified voters living in that
community to the clerk of the county in
which they live.
• The county clerk will then make the petition
public, announcing that a hearing will be held
before the county court and publicizing the date
of that hearing.
• Any citizens opposing the incorporation may
then make their objections known to the
county judge.
• On the date of the hearing, the county judge
will weigh the petition and any objections
given toward incorporation.
• If the judge determines that the incorporation
should proceed, an order will be issued by the
judge, with a copy given to the petitioners and a
copy sent to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s
office.
• Receipt of that copy of the judge’s order at
the Secretary of State’s office is the final step
in the process of incorporation, so the date
that order arrives (rather than the date it was
issued in the county court) is the official date of
incorporation for the city or town.
• The first election for city officials can be held
one month after the incorporation is official.
Incorporation doesn’t happen
unless 200 of YOU want it to.
To sign the petition:
• You must be a registered voter.
• You must live within the proposed boundary
as your primary residence.
– If you don’t know if you are in the proposed boundary, we
will find out.
PETITION FOR INCORPORATION
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION/RESOLUTION
OF THE COMMUNITY KNOWN
AS LITTLE ITALY FOR INCORPORATION
PURSUANT TO ARKANSAS STATUTES § 14-38-101
______________________________________
TO:
Pulaski County Court
201 S. Broadway St.
Little Rock, AR 72201
PETITIONERS STATE: This petition is filed under Arkansas
Statutes § 14-38-101.
1. The petitioners are qualified voters residing within the area
subject to incorporation and have attached signatures to this
petition. Two-hundred qualified voters are required to sign this
petition in order to initiate an incorporation proceeding, and
________(number) have signed.
2. The petitioners request incorporation of the following
described area:
LEGAL DESCRIPTION - AREA TO BE INCORPORATED
SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH, RANGE 15 WEST, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS
SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH, RANGE 15 WEST, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS
THE NORTH 1/2; THE EAST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 ; THE EAST 1/2 OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE
SOUTHEAST 1/4; ALL IN SECTION 4, TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH, RANGE 15 WEST, PULASKI COUNTY,
ARKANSAS
LOT 15 REECE CREEK SUBDIVISION, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS
SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH, RANGE 15 WEST, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS
SECTION 6, TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH, RANGE 15 WEST, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS
THE NORTH 1/2; THE NORTH 1/2 OF THE SOUTH 1/2 AND THE FRACTIONAL SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE
SOUTHWEST 1/4; ALL IN SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH, RANGE 15 WEST, PULASKI COUNTY,
ARKANSAS
THE NORTH 1/2 AND THE NORTH 1/2 OF THE SOUTH 1/2, SECTION 8, TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH, RANGE 15 WEST,
PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS
THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 AND THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHEAST 1/2, SECTION 10, TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH, RANGE
15 WEST, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS
THE FRACTIONAL WEST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4, SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH, RANGE 15 WEST,
PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS
SECTION 13, LESS AND EXCEPT THE NORTH 1/2 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 THEREOF, TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH,
RANGE 16 WEST, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS
SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH, RANGE 16 WEST, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS
THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4, LYING NORTH OF ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY 10, SECTION
22, TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH, RANGE 16 WEST, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS
THE WEST 1/2 OF THE WEST 1/2, LYING NORTH OF ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY 10, SECTION 23, TOWNSHIP
3 NORTH, RANGE 16 WEST, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS
THE SOUTH 30 ACRES OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4, LYING NORTH OF ARKANSAS
STATE HIGHWAY 10, SECTION 23, TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH, RANGE 16 WEST, PULASKI COUNTY,
ARKANSAS.
LESS AND EXCEPT ALL STATE HIGHWAY RIGHTS OF WAY
3.
Enclosed is a proposed corporate boundary map.
4.
The area proposed for incorporation presently lies within five
(5) miles of TWO existing municipal corporations and within
the area in which that existing municipal corporations are
exercising their planning territorial jurisdiction; however the
municipal corporations have BOTH affirmatively consented to
the incorporation by written resolution and are attached to
this petition.
5.
The proposed name of the new municipality is: Little Italy
6. The person authorized to act on behalf of the petitioners in
prosecuting the petition as agent:
Timothy W. Grooms
QUATTLEBAUM, GROOMS
TULL & BURROW PLLC
111 Center Street, Suite 1900
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
501.379.1713
tgrooms@qgtb.com
7. The reasons that incorporation is being requested are as follows: To
preserve its 100 year history, to mark the 100th year anniversary of the
community in 2015 by becoming an official town, to preserve the
beloved name of “Little Italy”, to encourage community involvement,
to improve services, and the town of Little Italy will establish and
maintain an honest, fair and transparent system of self-governance for
its people, grounded in the inalienable rights of civic participation and
equality for all citizens to freely choose what is most appropriate to
ensure their rights of life, liberty and property, while preserving the
cultural and historical heritage of our area’s founders.
Dated:_____________
Signature of Agent:___________________
Get More Information –
and Stay in the Loop
• To Register to Vote (we have the forms):
– Secretary of State’s website:
www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections
– Secretary of State’s Elections Division number:
501-682-3419
• Little Italy Website and Newsletter Signup:
www.littleitalyarkansas.com
• Little Italy Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/littleitalyarkansas
Proposed Incorporated Boundary
Proposed Boundary to Annex
after Incorporation
Q&A
Please Sign
the Petition