By HDN Staff
City Attorney Jim Kaze urged the city council Tuesday night to rescind the planned annexation of four tracts of land in to the city. Various property owners and their attorneys objected to the proposed annexation. Two properties did not have the required certificate of survey on file. One attorney alleged that the procedure to annex the properties was defective, and a property owner has filed suit.
We concur with Mayor Phyllis Leonard when she stated now is not the time to waste city tax dollars on litigation for possible lawsuits. The mayor was right, when she said it is not fair for city residents to pay for the services of those who use city sewer, water, fire and police protection, but are not paying for them. However any annexation must be carefully prepared, legal, and fair to all involved. We disagree with the implication to annex only those properties that faced no opposition.
It is our opinion the city needs to start carefully drafting a new plan with the proper procedures to complete the proposed annexation. After the necessary steps are in place for the annexation, they must be willing to defend them in court. Government can't run and hide every time someone threatens litigation. If there is no legal solution, than city services should be provided to only those property owners who pay for them. The city owes it to the rest of us who reside in the city and shell out our fair share.
