Don't miss the HBA Home & Outdoor Living Show, April 12 - 14, 2024 Wilson Logistics Arena  |  Ozark Empire Fairgrounds  |  Springfield, MO
Don't miss the HBA Home &
Outdoor Living Show
April 12 - 14, 2024
Wilson Logistics Arena
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds
Springfield, MO

Wanted: More Rooftops in Rogersville

The City of Rogersville is focused on its future…and boosting residential building is fundamental to its economic development strategy.  “We want to attract more retail options for our residents,” said Rogersville Mayor Jack Cole. “That will generate more tax revenue, new jobs and more convenient shopping in the immediate area. We know retail follows rooftops – so residential development is key to our plans.”

Rogersville hasn’t been passive during the down economy, simply hoping things will turn around. They’ve been busy improving the infrastructure to handle additional growth. In addition to bringing a new well online and advocating for transportation improvements, the city leadership has been proactive in putting out the welcome mat for those who construct the desired “rooftops.”  As well, property taxes in the city have decreased over the past decade – from $1.33 to $.71 (currently.)

At its February 6 meeting, the Rogersville Board of Aldermen approved a proposal to cut the city’s water and sewer impact fees by 75% through August 31. Water and sewer impact fees in Rogersville range from $1,500 to $2,600 per house, depending on location.  Recently, the Board approved extending that discount through the end of the year.

“The response was positive so we felt it would be wise to continue the discount through the end of the year,” said Mayor Cole. “Last year during approximately that same time period, we literally issued no private single family permits. This year there were six permits issued during the first phase of the fee reduction. It is a modest gain but one that employed people and created the demand for purchasing building supplies and more. That’s far superior to no activity.”

“Rogersville is an amazing example of setting the stage for recovery success,” said HBA CEO Matt Morrow. “They’ve done their homework and have taken conservative, fiscally responsible steps to position themselves as a quality, affordable and welcoming community in which to build homes. That will attract both the type of residential and commercial development this community wants.”

HBA Board President Matt Bailey believes the fee reduction is truly a significant tool in attracting home building and keeping the American Dream obtainable. “In our area, for every thousand dollars added to the cost of the median-priced home ($171,430), 512 families no longer quality for financing,” said Bailey. “That means lowering pre-construction costs by even a thousand dollars can make a real difference in a family actually being able to buy that home.”

Bailey went on to say that the HBA has developed a tool to help potential home owners and builders consider pre-construction costs and shop for the best place to build. “LookB4UBuild.com offers an opportunity to compare pre-construction costs among cities and counties in a 10-county area,” Bailey said. “A recent study by National Association of Home Builders’ economists found that 25% of the cost of a single-family home is attributable to government regulation. The average person and even many in the housing industry are not aware of full burden of pre-construction costs until they are already pretty far along in the process.  The more information people have about those regulatory costs before they build, the better off they are in terms of being able to afford the new home they want to build or purchase.”

HBA CEO Morrow will present additional information regarding the economic impact of housing to the Rogersville Board of Aldermen at their meeting on Monday, October 1. “Our recent local impact study demonstrates that not only does housing here generate revenue, income and jobs, it also pays for itself. By the end of the second year the housing industry’s economic impacts more than offset the fiscal costs resulting in a fiscal surplus to local governments.  And, by the end of the second year the fiscal surpluses are more than enough to pay off all debt and result in a surplus available to pay for additional government services. Collectively new single-family housing produces a net income to local governments of $1,939,900 in the second year, and $2,022,100 each and every year thereafter.”