David Rodock wrote in the VDT 13 July 2011, Citizens speak against Cat Creek crowding:

Gretchen Quarterman also spoke against the proposition, citing that extending residential areas further out into undeveloped Lowndes County would create greater strain on an already tight fiscal operating budget.

She referred to a report County Planner Jason Davenport commissioned from Prof. Jeffrey H. Dorfman of UGA, Local Government Fiscal Impacts of Land Use in Lowndes County, December 2007, in which he recommended development close in to existing services for the most benefit to all parties. As Prof. Dorfman has said,

“Local governments must ensure balanced growth, as sprawling residential growth is a certain ticket to fiscal ruin*
* Or at least big tax increases.”

He noted

“The same growth done more densely and contiguously saves both money, farmland, and provides environmental amenities.”

Prof. Dorfman has even quantified national averages for Continue reading →