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Effort under way to stop annexation reform law

A 10 year in the works legislative compromise questioned !!

Effort under way to stop annexation law


Referendum AGAIN – Now a Pickerington City Official actually wants a referendum! This time against the recently signed annexation law, Amended Senate Bill #5 – Annexation Reform - signed into law on 7/27/01 by Governor Taft and due to take affect in 90 days is now under “attack” by municipal officials.

See the link to the 8/3/01 article in the Columbus Dispatch listed below……

Just 7 months ago - to the day- Pickerington City Officials complained about the potential costs of an election related to a local referendum. How much will these efforts cost city residents now that a City Official wants to take efforts toward a statewide referendum?

Senate Bill #5 was in part going to give more voice to citizens effected by annexations in and around the area of annexation. The bill provided for revenues lost by the unincorporated governments. County Commissioners were to have a more influential voice in the annexation process and could finally consider some of the ramifications of proposed annexations………. SO WHY A REFERENDUM?

The oft-repeated quote of limited economic development for the municipalities makes little sense in light of viewing a neighboring municipality’s cooperation in annexation, revenue sharing, and the economic development potentials that something as mutually beneficial as a CEDA has to offer.

Is this sour grapes?
Is this ego boosting with the BIGGER municipalities?
Is this hypocritical in light of local officials’ positions to repulse a local referendum effort, continuing to annex over 800 acres of land and impose the R4 type zoning that local residents wanted the opportunity to vote toward impacts on their community?

This issue certainly deserves more answers than are being presented.

Links

Columbus Dispatch