GOLDSBORO, N.C. — Goldsboro city council has voted to annex 475 acres of Wayne County. Homeowners are upset because their property taxes will double.

On the steps of Goldsboro City Hall, hundreds of Wayne County homeowners voiced their frustration Monday. The group calls themselves Good Neighbors United, and they say the scales of justice are broken in city government.

Pam Mozingo makes her point with road signs.

"I've never lived in the city. I don't want to live in the city. I've always lived in the country," she said.

Mozingo is one of 372 homeowners who live about 5 miles from the current Goldsboro city limits. Annexation would double her property taxes.

"It all boils down to having to pay for things we don't want," she said.

Goldsboro would offer emergency services and city sewer connections, but that will cost some homeowners more than $10,000.

"In North Carolina, this is the only way municipalities can orderly grow," said James Rowe, Goldsboro assistant city planner.

For the Goldsboro City Council, growth had the votes. They passed the annexation plan 5-2.

It was an outcome homeowners were expecting.

"It's not over,' Mozingo said. "We have until June 30. It's not over."

The group hired a lawyer and has 60 days to file an appeal. That appears likely to happen, but if an appeal is not granted, the annexation would take effect July 1.