County Commission | The Magazine February 2017 | Page 38

Economic Development & the Alabama Trust Fund carry out this function and must be included in any reforms and initiatives that alter Alabama’s law regarding economic incentives and requirements. Revenue from the Alabama Trust Fund is essential to meeting these goals and must be protected from unnecessary raids Foundation Principle Alabama counties play an ever- growing and vital role in the state’s economic development efforts, providing services, financial support and community leadership necessary to attract and retain important employers. Counties must be able to access the revenue necessary to Phone: 205-280-3027 38 | COUNTY COMMISSION and expenditures. The Association will actively oppose any removal of revenue from the Alabama Trust Fund and seeks to be a partner in those economic development efforts that emphasize a partnership between the state and its counties. Strategic Goals In furtherance of this Foundation Principle, the Association will actively pursue the passage of leg- islation to accomplish the following strategic goals: To shift 20 percent of the corpus and future oil lease and royalty payments n Website: www.leehelmsllc.com be treated as residential housing for the purpose of ad valorem taxation.