There were plenty of open seats during Tuesday evening’s special city council meeting, but those there had a lot to say about the annexation of Country Estates. FOLLOWING the public comments, the council members had an opportunity to voice their opinions as well as discuss the matter amongst themselves.
Iola City Council members met at the Bass Community Building to discuss the annexation of the subdivision, located north of Iola. Ultimately, the annexation did not pass with Mayor Joel Wicoff casting the deciding vote against a split decision among council members.
Council members Steve French, Sandy Zornes, Jon Wells and Beverly Franklin voted for the annexation; Nancy Ford, Don Becker, Gene Myrick and Bob Shaughnessy voted against.
The meeting opened with a full explanation of the annexation, followed by public comments — which took up the majority of the meeting’s time. Several residents of the 54 households came forward to voice strong opinions.
Don Erbert said he surveyed residents at 34 of the homes in Country Estates, and the majority said they would rather not be annexed.
“Twenty-six homes don’t want to come into the city,” said Erbert, who later walked out mid-meeting. “At least listen to us. It doesn’t sound like there’s any benefit for us to come in. You’ve lost their trust that you’re even listening to us.”
Of the numerous public comments, resident Duane McGraw was the sole speaker who was in favor of the annexation. He wants to see more regulation of the area’s sewer district.
Tim Osborn, another resident, voiced his opinion along with several others.
“I didn’t know there were this many people opposed to this,” he said. “You need to convince us, how is this going to benefit the people out there?”
Administrator Carl Slaugh, who moderated the meeting, addressed questions and voiced any benefit he thought annexation would bring into the community.
“When you get used to using the services without paying the taxes, it’s easy to say ‘how does this benefit it us,’” Slaugh said.
Country estates currently receives the majority of their utilities from the city, and while the annexation would bring an increase in property taxes, Slaugh said the reduction in utility costs would balance out the cost to the residents.
Concerns regarding monetary benefit to the city, which seemed to be a major concern from the residents, were addressed as well.
“The idea of annexing this neighborhood for taxation was never discussed,” Wicoff said.
“It’s not about gaining money,” Ford reiterated.
In fact, Slaugh said the city would most likely see the greater cost, due to ongoing maintenance to the roads and infrastructure in the area.
“We need to see growth, we need to see economic growth,” French said. “We are out of room.”
Wells, who was in favor of the annexation, said Country Estates has been receiving the benefits of being near to Iola since its construction — they just haven’t been paying the taxes.
“Some of the benefits you have been receiving for 30 years,” he said, listing off the economic, social and cultural resources. “The question is, would this place exist without the city. I honestly think it wouldn’t.”
Some of the attendees left the meeting during this point, in obvious frustration.
“Why don’t you leave us alone,” someone in the audience yelled out.
Ultimately, it seemed council members saw enough opposition to second guess any annexation.
“Humans are against change, I am the same way,” Wicoff said.
Zornes was the last council member to comment.
“I came here tonight thinking we were going to do something good,” she said. “You’re comfortable where you are at and how you are doing things, but maybe things can get better.”
Wells then made the motion that eventually failed to pass.
ANNEXATION HALTED – Inclusion of Country Estates meets strong opposition, falls through
