Goldsboro, N.C. — For years, hundreds of people who live in the rural area of Buck Swamp Road near Goldsboro have been fighting to stay out of Goldsboro's city limits.
"We live in the country, and that's the way we want to stay," said Larry Pierce.
Larry Pierce and others who make up Good Neighbors United say they want no part of Goldsboro's forced annexation.
"We're satisfied with the services we have, and its going to be double taxation for no additional services," Pierce said.
City leaders argue annexation will bring improvements, such as sewers, to replace older septic tanks.
Officials also say the increased tax base is necessary to keep up with growth and to improve places like parks already used by people in and outside of the city limits.
"(It will) Increase the general well-being of the region and the city, and I think that leads to economic prosperity for all," said Goldsboro City Manager Joseph Huffman.
The Goldsboro case is currently under review by the North Carolina Supreme Court, and is one of many in the state that could be affected by possible changes to the law.
Last week, the state House approved House Bill 2367 bill that would put a temporary hold on all involuntary annexation until May 31, 2009. That would give state leaders a chance to review the current, and nearly 50-year-old, law.
"We would consider it a big win if it is passed," Pierce said.
North Carolina is one of only four states that still allow involuntary annexations.
But Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand says it won't pass and that the chamber won't consider the bill as it is now because it does not comply with rules for the current session.
He said he believes the current annexation law does need a review and that he and other lawmakers hope to study the issue in the next session.
That means no moratorium August, which is when the moratorium would have started..
"If they would take time to review it, then they would see the laws need to be changed," Pierce said.
"Annexation laws probably don't need to be amended very much," Huffman said. "We're where we are at because we've been doing things the right way for a long time."
Forced annexation moratorium on hold for now
- Reporter: Mike Charbonneau
- Web Editor: Kelly Gardner
RELATED TOPICS: Supreme Court, Economic Stimulus
Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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The issue is "do the non annexed residents cost the tax payers in the town any money?" NO, they don't. They don't get police, fire, water, sewer, or trash service (which is paid for in addition to taxes, funny enough). Your city taxes get you those services and the right to vote for people to spend your tax dollars.
Non annexed people do NOT get any of those services from the city. They still add to the tax base by taxes on goods purchased (yes that feeds back to the cities).
The cities annex the surrounding property only to reap the taxes while providing no additional services beyond what the people have already. Furthermore they are annexed against their will by politicians who they have no voting rights over.
All the county people are looking for is the ability to vote over the annexation of their property.
July 8, 2008 9:42 p.m.
July 8, 2008 2:48 p.m.
Consider what happened in our community 8 years ago. An older subdivision had approximately 80 property owners. It was located outside the corporate limits but directly abutting it. All lots were on well & septic systems. Many of the septic systems failed and created a health issue. I think the state or county got involved and basically told them they had to connect to municipal water & sewer services. The local jurisdiction came in and bailed them out and built a sewer outfall to serve that neighborhood. Water was also extended into the sub. Now that they were receiving public services, it was time to annex the entire sub. Most of the property owners agreed to be annexed except for a few. Because not all 100% owners agreed, forced annexation had to be done.
July 8, 2008 2:15 p.m.
July 8, 2008 1:24 p.m.
What a crying shame. Truth is, NC's annexation law lets towns and cities run wild: http://www.johnlocke.org/spotlights/display_story.html?id=204
July 8, 2008 12:36 p.m.