SB349 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clyde ChamblissSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Tallapoosa Co., Willow Point Subdivision, estab. of road maint. district, referendum, fees, bd. of directors

Summary

SB 349 creates the Willow Point Estates Road Maintenance District in Tallapoosa County to maintain and improve roads and bridges in Willow Point Estates, funded by annual road maintenance charges on property owners.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes a new public district to maintain roads and bridges in Willow Point Estates and to collect road maintenance charges from property owners. It requires road owners to transfer ownership of the roads to the district (with some exceptions) and allows a petition and election process to form the district. A five-member board governs the district, which has broad powers to own property, levy charges, enter contracts, and manage finances, with charges collected by the county and secured by a property lien.

Who It Affects

• Qualified property owners within Willow Point Estates (and other legal owners with an interest in lots) who would be assessed annual road maintenance charges and whose roads may be transferred to the district.
• Residents who are eligible voters in Willow Point Estates (one vote per lot) and members of the initial and future district board; they determine funding levels, elect directors, and vote on changes to charges or dissolution.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Willow Point Estates Road Maintenance District to fund maintenance, repair, construction, and paving of roads, bridges, and rights-of-way in Willow Point Estates.
• Qualified property owners own the voting rights (one vote per lot); owners must join the petition to form the district and transfer road ownership to the district unless exempted.
• Initial petition requires 30 qualified voters, names five initial board members, and proposes the initial annual road maintenance charge; a $500 filing fee is required; roads must be transferred to the district upon creation.
• A five-member board governs the district; terms are 12 months for the initial board, with future terms of two and three years; board elects a president, secretary, and treasurer; no compensation for board members.
• The district has powers to sue/be sued, own and manage property, levy road maintenance charges, contract for maintenance, and operate the road system; it is tax-exempt at the state level.
• Road maintenance charges are collected by the Tallapoosa County Revenue Commissioner and distributed to the district; charges are a lien on the property and enforceable by the district; district must bond to cover three times annual revenue.
• Future changes to charges require a majority vote in a district election; petitions for increases/decreases must specify the change and be signed by 30 voters.
• The district can be abolished only if conditions are met (no indebtedness and acceptance of roads by the county or another district); abolition requires a district election and majority approval.
• Initial election expenses are paid by the county; the district reimburses the county if a district is created; after establishment, the district pays election costs for probate-based elections.
• The act becomes effective only after ratification of a constitutional amendment authorizing road maintenance districts in Tallapoosa County.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Tallapoosa County