HomeMy WebLinkAboutCITY RESPONSE - Annexation of 10 PropertiesMEMO:
To: Rexburg City Council and Mayor
From: John Millar, Public Works Director
Re: Eric Erickson letter:
The development of the utility expansion into the area west of US -20 has been discussed with the
council for several years. The budget developed in 2000 included funds for such expansions. The
crossing of the water line under US -20 at 7"' south was planned before the Valley Wide Co-op had
started their new building plans, and may well have contributed to their decision to build in the area.
A major misunderstanding with residents in the Widdison addition is that the utility lines that will
serve them are in any way required for existing new development. The water line planned thru the
Widdison addition provides water to the west side of US -20 at the most cost effective location. Any
sewer lines that might be constructed in the Widdison addition would serve them only. These sewer
lines will not be built unless the council decides to. The engineering plans for the west side sewer
and water project are 90 percent complete and do not include a sewer line in the Widdison addition.
The proposed system is for the construction of a backbone system to serve a large area.
As currently planned there are only 10 homes that would be required to connect to city sewer if the
annexations are completed and a sewer line is not constructed in the Widdison addition. These
properties are those along 12' (2000) west. Our existing ordinances do not require people to
connect to the city water system if available.
Therefore the only costs that property owners in the Widdison addition would be required to pay if
they are annexed would be the increase in property taxes. Even the costs of sidewalks would not
be a factor unless they sell their property.
Mr. Erickson has made several comments about dropping the requirements for sidewalk. This will
have to be a council decision.
July 18, 2000
Dear
The City Council has had extensive discussions about several issues associated with potential annexations of
various properties in the City's impact zone. Of particular concern are those properties which receive City
water and/or wastewater services, yet are not within the City Limits.
The Council has taken two actions relative to this situation. First, in Resolution No. 2000-03, the policy has
been established that the City will no longer extend water or wastewater services outside the City Limits. In the
future, if a property owner wants or needs to be hooked up to these services, the property must first be annexed.
Second, with the intent of applying this concept consistently but being accommodating of pre-existing
situations, the Council decided to offer in Resolution No. 2000-04 a temporary annexation incentive for
property owners outside the City Limits which are receiving City services. For properties in this category
which voluntarily agree to annexation, the City will waive the normally applicable front footage fees until
November 1, 2000. These fees are $10 per lineal foot for both water and wastewater, meaning that for a 100
foot frontage hooking up to both services, the fee would be $2,000.
Following November 1 the Council will review the situation, including both the response to the incentive offer
and what action may be necessary to see that City services are delivered only within the City Limits. Of course,
those properties coming into the City Limits will be charged at the normal rates for City services.
If you have questions, or would like to take advantage of the temporary incentive offer, please call the City
Attorney, Stephen Zollinger, at 359-3020.
Yours truly,
CITY OF REXBURG
Bruce Sutherland, Mayor