Fayetteville, N.C. — The Fayetteville city council is expected to vote Wednesday to support legislation that would make 85 percent of Fort Bragg officially part of the city. The remaining part of the post would become part of Spring Lake.

The bill is currently making its way through the state General Assembly with a suggested implementation date of June 30.

The addition would increase Fayetteville's population to about 206,000 making it the fifth-largest city in the state.

Spring Lake would gain 5,000 citizens if the plan goes through.

Fayetteville Mayor Tony Chavonne said the case is unique because annexation usually adds to a city's tax base and need for services. Fort Bragg, as federal property, is exempt from taxes and already has its own services such as fire and police protection.

The move would allow the post to connect to the water supply from the Fayetteville Public Works Commission.

The new border would be the same one that historically divided Pope Air Force Base from the Army post, Fayetteville City Manager Dale Iman said.

The portion of the post that was previously Air Force property would be annexed by Spring Lake; the former Army property is to become part of Fayetteville.