Annexation upsets land owners

WOLCOTT, Ind. (WLFI) - Many residents in White County are upset with a new annexation.

The town council held an information meeting with property owners whose land is part of the annexation Thursday evening. This annexation is involuntary and some feel that's not the right way to handle the situation.

Wolcott is wanting to expand its town limits and has already filed a petition and notified affected land owners their property will become part of the town of Wolcott.

Wolcott attorney Mark Callaway said the town is around 340 acres. He said the annexed property is a total of about 700 acres expanding the town to almost three times its size. Callaway said Wolcott is looking ahead to growth.

"We have what is going on around us and the fact that growth is moving south from Chicago and Merriville," he explained. "With this natural progression southward down Interstate 65, if you don't plan and you don't take steps early, it could pass you by."

During the information meeting, Callaway listed economic growth, potential city services, greater property value should an owner decide to sell and access to a smaller government as reasons for the annexation.

The Snyder Family has 265 acres being annexed. Their property alone would almost double the size of the town. They are hiring an attorney to fight it because they'll be forced to pay higher taxes.

"Could be done on a voluntary basis and the town has chosen to do this on an involuntary basis. It is certainly not neighborly and we think it is illegal," the Snyder's attorney Matt Price said.

But, Callaway said there are benefits for property owners, including getting city services like police and fire.

"Within time they will be able to access city water and sewer, which should increase their land values over time, also garbage service and other city services," Callaway said. "Over time this can become a positive thing. Obviously, not immediately. Therefore, we can extend out an abatement."

The town council said an abatement for a residential property could be three years with a scale of 75% the first year, 50% the second and 25% the third. Callaway said an agricultural or commercial property could have an 10 year abatement.

Joe Federer owns 157 acres that are being annexed. He said a neighbor had his property annexed a few years ago and had to pay much higher taxes.

"Taxes on those acres they annexed which is part of the whole farm, have went from $22 to $74 an acre," Federer explained.

Callaway said there are industrial growth plans already in place and the town of Wolcott is hoping it will bring more industry to the area. Federer believes, even if that happens, it won't bring more residents to the area.

"If we bring industry in, a lot of the high power executives will live in Lafayette, Monticello and Rensselaer. I don't think they will live here," Federer said.

Another informational meeting is set for August 24, 2010 and another public hearing is set for September 7, 2010. The town has plans to adopt the ordinance in October and land owners can appeal it after that. The town council has listed the annexation will take effect on February 1, 2011.

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