Havre makes final move to annex land adjacent to city

After the ball drops this New Year's Eve, Havre will become a bigger city.

The Havre City Council gave the final go-ahead in the annexation of 26 properties, a process that started a few months ago that will take effect on Jan. 1.

The council voted unanimously to annex the properties, which surround the city and include the Havre Ice Dome, Havre High School's Blue Pony Stadium and Boothill Plaza.

Annexing some of the properties on the southwest edge of town led to another portion of the council's agenda last night, an interlocal agreement with Hill County.

According to Mayor Tim Solomon, the city had consulted with the Hill County Commissioners and come up with the proposed agreement for the city to takeover the maintenance of the Rural Special Improvement District 23 sewer lift station.

The station serves houses in or near Highland Park, west past Havre Middle School and a few out in Hill County. With a few of those border-properties entering the city, the station is now the city's responsibility.

Councilman Allen "Woody" Woodwick asked whether the people out in the county still benefiting will start paying the city. Solomon said the property owners will continue to pay the county, who will pass that money on to the city.

Councilman Rick Dow asked if there was an existing maintenance fund for the station, how much was in it, and what would happen to it. Solomon said that the city will bill the county for work on the station, which the county will pay out of the approximately $40,000 in that fund.