ANNEXATION
The city received a request to annex about 119 acres on its southwest side in November 2007. The land is located several hundred feet south of Hwy 92 between “Y” Street and R-63. Per Iowa Code, when annexing property voluntarily, a city may annex up to another 20% in order to avoid islands (rural area surrounded by city area) and create uniform boundaries.
In this case, the city is annexing another 19 acres for a total of 138.
When annexing property, even voluntarily, there is a very specific procedure that must be followed including review by the Planning & Zoning Commission and County Board of Supervisors. Legal descriptions, public notices, maps, notices to surrounding property owners are also part of the process. In addition, a public hearing must be held by the city council (this one was held on April 7, 2008).
After council approval, the annexation request is presented to the City Development Board which is a department of the State of Iowa. They review the city’s application including all the required information, and if in order, set another public hearing.
The City Development Board will review Indianola’s application at their meeting on May 28 and assuming the requirements have been met, will set a hearing date for their meeting in June or July. At that hearing, they will allow public comment and then decide on the merits of the annexation.
Annexations can be controversial as property owners do not want to be in the city for various reasons including higher taxes and more restrictions such as building codes. However, there are “city” benefits that include water (less expensive than rural water), sanitary sewer (less problematic than septics), police protection and greater potential to develop property.
When a property is annexed into the city, the council has authorized a transitional tax that reduces the city portion of property taxes over a five-year period. The intent is to ease the financial difference from the rural area.
If you have any questions about this annexation or other city issues, please feel free to contact me.
