Many who have chosen to live outside Iola city limits are up in arms about possible annexation.
At Monday’s city council meeting Richard Burris presented a multitude of signatures signaling their opposition to officially becoming Iolans — though in thought, word and deed they participate in and take advantage of city programs and services.
Many of those residents — and certainly their children — are involved in Iola Recreation programs, such as swimming lessons, summer ball programs, or perhaps seniorcize, yet by not paying city property taxes don’t support the infrastructure of the program.
Same with the Iola Public Library and its multitude of programs and services, including its widely popular summer reading program now in full swing.
Neither service denies accessibility to those living outside city limits — and in fact welcomes all-comers — but in truth depends on city property taxes to keep the doors open.
ANNEXING the four neighborhoods is not exactly a win-win for Iola, said Carl Slaugh, city administrator. Assuming the responsibility of utilities and roads would be costly and fraught with unknowns.
The area north of Haldex presents the most problems, Slaugh said, because of its deteriorating roads and waste water system. About 60 lots are in the neighborhood.
Those east of Iola — the Burris Addition, Country Club Heights and homes bordering Allen County Country Club — have a combined 65 sites. As a whole, these homes are higher-end but may not comply with city codes because the county doesn’t have building codes and only recently has devised parameters for subdivisions.
“It makes annexation problematic,” Slaugh said in his typically dry manner.
THE RETURNS of bringing these areas into Iola’s realm outweigh the negatives.
For those affected, it brings them into the fold of Iola, giving them an opportunity to vote in city elections and a chance to run for elective office.
For Iola, it gives the opportunity to better develop its outlying areas in a comprehensive manner.
State law now insists new developments must tap into a city’s waste water system instead of developing their own lagoon systems.
It also gives Iola a broader tax base from which to fund public utilities. Yes, those affected are assessed an increased water rate, “but it’s not near the same as paying to support the true cost of maintaining the water and sewer plants,” Slaugh said.
If annexed, homeowners would see an increase in their property taxes of about 14 percent. Those in the Burris Addition, for example, are assessed 152.8 mills in property taxes. So for a $100,000 home — typical of the neighborhood — that would cost about $1,757. Join the city, and it increases to $2,000.
ANNEXATION essentially would level the playing field of those who use Iola services. Yes, it can be forced, if a majority of council members favor it. But how much more pleasant it would be if we all joined forces for the greater good.
