By Alabama Public Radio
Prattville, AL – The Prattville City Council is considering drafting an annexation bill that would also be offered in the upcoming legislative session. But leaders in the Southeast Alabama community want to know how much money is involved. Prattville's mayor and other city leaders say they're worried about the cost of the city's new annexation plans. Mayor Jim Byard says the city just recently floated a 48 million dollar bond issue to bring retail growth to Prattville. But he says annexing new areas could cost more than the city is prepared to pay because city officials must factor in the funds it will take to extend services to those areas. Byard told city councilors last week that he's concerned about extending those services, especially sanitation, sewer and street maintenance. That's why he says he's opposed to annexing a large area, but he says he would like to see the city take in some smaller parcels.