WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Long Beach Mayor Worries About Division Over Condos
Fred Pilot and Nancy Levy sent this story. Please note that even in Mississippi the municipalities are using impact fees from condo projects to fund public infrastructure. The problem is that new development changes the community.

It's the hottest political issue in Long Beach this election year, but you won't find it on the ballot. The discussion about high rise condominiums is creating quite a division in "the friendly city". Mayor Billy Skellie doesn't have to worry about re-election. He's unopposed this Tuesday. But he is worried about the division over condo development, an issue he fears could hurt the city's image and it's future...Skellie says city leaders worked hard on an ordinance to regulate condominiums and charge the developers with funding necessary improvements to the city infrastructure. Condo projects will pay for a new fire station and pumper truck. "It will all be built, like the infrastructure on water and sewer, also on police and fire, will all be accomplished as funds come in from developers. And it's not going to cost the citizens a penny," the mayor explained.