Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 32 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
Natchez looks to annex
Published Saturday, August 30, 2008
CORRECTION: This story originally contained an error of fact when reporting the amount of county land the city wants to annex. The city is considering annexing nearly 14 square miles of land. We regret the error and are happy to set the record straight.
NATCHEZ — The Natchez Board of Aldermen is considering annexing nearly 14 square miles of county land.
Working from an annexation study that was conducted in 2001, the four parcels of land are approximately six square miles in the port area, four square miles near Trinity Episcopal Day School on U.S. 61 South, two square miles along U.S. 84 and almost two square miles in the Morgantown area.
Walter Brown, former city attorney, said annexation is beneficial in many ways.
First, it controls growth, he said..
In the county, there’s no zoning, so if someone were to build a $2 million house, another person could plop a pig pen next door and nothing could be done about it.
City Engineer David Gardner said annexation is a visionary move for the city to take.
He also said there are many benefits to annexing in new land.
Some of them include improved fire and police protection and a central sanitary sewer collection.
The city’s tax base would increase, Brown said.
In just one of the areas of land to potentially be annexed, once county residents are annexed in, they’ll increase the tax base by $300,000.
Brown said that alone is a good enough reason for the city to annex.
But also, with developments like CCA and Rentech coming in, both employing hundreds, housing is very limited.
“Most developers want to be in the city,” Brown said.
Gardner agreed and said developers will get governmental funding for projects easier if they build in the city.
At the board of aldermen meeting Tuesday, the board voted to reactivate the 2001 plan.
The board also voted to allow City Planner John “Rusty” Lewis and Gardner to look further into it and make any necessary revisions.
Gardner said there probably won’t be too many changes made to the original.
He said in the U.S. 61 South area, they’ll draw the line before Elgin Plantation.
Brown said Beau Pré won’t be annexed in, nor will Hammett Subdivision.
Gardner told the board he would have a revised plan back to them before the last regular meeting in October.
Once that’s complete, Brown said the process from start to finish will begin with the board adopting an ordinance to file in the chancery court.
After that, the supreme court will appoint a judge outside the district to hear the annexation case.
If there’s an objection, a hearing will be appointed.
If not, the chancellor will approve it and send it to the U.S. Justice Department where it will either be approved or disapproved.
Brown said it’s rare the justice department disapproves an annexation request.
The entire process would take between six months and one year if all goes smoothly.
“It’s in the city’s best interest to annex these in,” Brown said.
Comments
Posted by guy2co (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Does this mean that the roads in the annexed sections will be filled with potholes like the rest of the city?
Posted by Hambone (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NATCHEZ — The Natchez Board of Aldermen is considering annexing nearly 14 acres of county land.
This would double the city in size, but not in population.
Huh? Really DOUBLE THE CITY IN SIZE? Do y'all even bother to read this stuff?
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on August 30, 2008 at 12:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If the city of Natchez is 13.9 square miles, 14 acres will not double the size of the city. I suppose the ND meant to write 14 square miles instead of 14 acres??
I suppose the ND is math challenged, again.
Posted by gator (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 12:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hambone you can say that again ! Who proof reads this stuff at the ND ? Are they smoking weed on the job ?
Posted by acedog (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 4:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
good idea
Posted by StuWhoMoved (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 5:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Guy- If they get this passed then you will have to start giving longer carraige rides. I can hear it now " Ladies and gentlemen if you look to your right youll see a lot of bare dirt instead of new houses. The story goes that once upon a time our city and county leaders were gonna get some industry in here that paid good wages. But true to ntz form our labor force wasnt educated enough to get those good jobs. So now you have a bunch of dirt thats been there for hundreds of years just full of history. Just as the new part of town is dirt soon so will the rest of it be because nobody has a high enough paying job to keep this antiquated junk up. I hope you enjoyed the ride and please dust your clothes off as you exit the ride so you dont take any of our historical dirt with you."
Posted by An_Observer (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 6:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Once again the city looks to it's already over taxed citizens to bail them out! There is a reason why we move outside the city limits. The City has tried and failed at this in the past, so lets pray that happens again.
Posted by oilfieldtrash (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 6:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen, An_Observer. I guess the city hasn't learned that people DON'T want to live in Natchez city limits. They say better fire and police protection, sewer service. Have they not realized that alot of the county communities have volunteer fire departments now, I believe that they also have septic tanks (I haven't seen sewer running across anyones yard lately!) And polic protection?, It took them forever it seemed to catch the theives and vandals that were breaking in and damaging builds in DOWNTOWN, much less on the out skirts. So tell me again what the residents will benefit? Oh, I see, the city needs more money, so they need these peoples taxes. So residents stick to your guns and make sure it don't happen! Voice your opinion!
Posted by wifetoone (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I live in the county, what's it going to do for me, except raise my taxes. I will have to pay city and county taxes. Oh yea I get to vote for Mayor whoop de do.
Posted by pride (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are some nice , safe communities in the county . The city wants to make it better with higher taxes is a joke . I also hope this doesn't pass .
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, I thought Rentech and CCA were going to employ people who already live here. And why should anyone but developers and their friends care about how many and how easy it is for developers to get government grants?
There really doesn't seem to be much of an upside for county residents on this. Only the opportunity to be harrassed by the planning commission, the preservation society, and any new autocratic board or commission that pops up in the fevered minds of Natchez' empire builders.
Posted by sandyman7 (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WELL WELL...Do you notice that the city stopped just short of including Elgin , and all the land and houses and golf course of Beau Pre....mmmmmmmmmm Wonder why, when that would have raised their tax base condiderably more.....and also raised the population that has slowly been decreasing in the last few years?????
Posted by An_Observer (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is just a sample of past stories on the subject of annexation from the Natchez Democrat Archives. All I want to know is, when will the City stop trying to commit Strong Arm Robbery.
Story: Anti-annexation group will meet, discuss plan (Sunday, September 30, 2001)
... of Adams County residents who oppose annexation by Natchez will meet Oct. 9, g ... study of whether it is feasible to annex additional land.
Story: Aldermen still eyeing annexation (Saturday, January 12, 2002)
... before they decide whether to support annexation of county land. In September, ... Lusteck to study the feasibility of annexation..
Story: Supervisors move to stop annexation (Tuesday, October 23, 2001)
... petition in Chancery Court against annexation of county land by the City of Natchez ... Supervisors to intervene in cases of annexation that would hurt county finances ...
Story: Adams County petition the Board of Aldermen (Wednesday, March 24, 1999)
... County citizens worried about being annexed are petitioning the Board of Aldermen Concerned Citizens Against Annexation, gave the board a petition signed by 1,165 people.
Story: Aldermen hush on annexation (Wednesday, January 9, 2002)
... are taking more steps necessary to annex county land
Story: Aldermen consider doubling size of city (Tuesday, September 19, 2006)
... Annexation. Phillip West unveiled a draft copy of annexation plans
Story: Annexation opponents begin fight (Wednesday, October 17, 2001)
... Citizens of Adams County Against Annexation took up pledges Tuesday night $30,000 to $50,000 to fight annexation.
Story: Annexation opponents will hire consultant (Thursday, October 18, 2001)
... aldermen voted to contract with an annexation consultant, and now opponents of annexation plan to do the same.
Story: Aldermen: No reason to annex (Wednesday, July 10, 2002)
... "Hank" Smith, "the annexation issue isn't an issue now." ... Tuesday voted to drop its pursuit of annexation
Story: County Supervisors bring up disadvantages to annexation (Tuesday, September 19, 2006)
... Supervisors are not enthusiastic about city annexation, even in the preliminary stages ...
Posted by andy (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the city of natchez does not have the leadership or can it even police the area they have now are you crazy city leaders taxes I am so sick of it your police cannot even do their job and enforce the laws in what they have now, how can you put more on them YOU WILL ALL THE RUN OUT OF TOWN BEFORE YOU CAN PULL THIS OFF and i am sure the supervisors are laughing out loud
Posted by andy (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the tax money is at the beau pre area why????? middleton and brown oh i forgot rich do not pay taxes and they donot want in the city either
Posted by An_Observer (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Supervisor Felter, where are you on this?
Posted by Fonzarosa (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well I have about 250 Million dollars and own quite a bit of land in the county you will not annex none of it That's a fact
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lot of naysayers here today
I'm for annexation and increasing opportunities for development
insurance is lower for city residents with fire dept protection
there are advantages, such as federal funds available for increase police and fire needs and utility expansion.
for those of us in the city already hopefully this will take the burden off us for taxation and allow property taxes to come down with more people paying in
come on and be positive and think ahead, if Natchez is gonna grow, then we have to annex land and make developments, that's the only way. The city water can expand and new neighborhoods spring up. Maybe with better housing some industry might consider Natchez.
our neighborhoods, for the most part, are deteriorating - look at Roselawn - we really need more housing in Natchez so that real estate opportunities can improve, people can have more affordable and better homes. I know people that have left Natchez simply due to the lack of decent homes to rent or buy. The areas on the bluff and downtown areas, garden district, etc are packed and we need to expand East and along Hwy 61, makes sense to me.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
good point sandyman
yes annexation should include Beau Pre and Elgin, that's a good idea, tax those big houses and let them share the load of Natchez's expenses of police, fire, and utility, road maintenance, etc.
Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is nothing more than a money grab. when you have a city goverment that can't keep a budget, stop the waste and now wants annex more land? Let me tell you Natchez. When natchez was booming in the late 60's, 70's, and early 80's there was so much city corruption, waste, and bubba pat on the back deals, all off the backs off bussiness and the tax payers. And a lot of the waste and lack of investment was not exposed until the oil bust. The city more or less is counting eggs before they hatch. or better yet, putting the tax man out in the field. I moved my bussiness to the county a decade ago to get out of high taxes. This was a tactful ploy not to include Beau Pre, why?, because now they dont don't have to worry about a petition or any flak from them, but don't worry they will be next. The city can't pay the police good enough now, now they will need more cops with low pay. I would like to see a expense for the new cost of upkeep on the streets, sewage, fire, police, you never will. The only the thing they looked at was how much tax money will we get! They have tried everything, came up with every new thing they could at the expense of the tax payer to make more money. We have heard it all, "this new convention center or visitor center" will bring more people or more tax money. They have bit off more than they can chew or swallow and they need more. Thats why they are doing this. It's dangerous! When you have a city and county goverment that can let a Binky Vines run rampant, let a hospital be robbed and collapse under it's nose, loose a backhoe, can't fix the streets without a handout of a grant, and come up short a million dollars on its budget and not know where the money went? The last thing they need is more tax payer money. This is sick and needs to be stopped. And Mr Brown has his hand in it as usual. This needs to be stopped until we have a more accountable and responsible goverment.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NatchezEnema, you know a lot for someone that doesn't live here, if my memory is right, you don't even live here.
Natchez actually is flush with money due to recent Rentech payment, and cuts in spending
we need to think ahead and make plans for some growth, Natchez is in a bottleneck and strangled right now.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is a tax grab as well as land grab. This is normal expansion for a city. It has to have a steady tax base to survive and the older neighborhoods in the existing town are not as lucrative in the tax base as the newer neighborhoods.
This happens in every town in America. Just look at Jackson and the battle they had with Byram . It was about taxes....not land. Natchez has to have new taxes coming in because many of the older neighborhoods are in deplorable shape, therefore you can not tax it at the old rate. Lets say, a house behind the old A & B Motors used to be worth $50,000 15 years ago. Now, most of that neighborhood is only worth $20,000. So the tax structure requires the more tax base to absorb the loss of the neighborhood that used to be a steady tax base.
I hope Natchez will give new or better services to the area they are annexing. It will make this easier for them to swallow.
Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Would you like to elaborate Krogers where the cuts are being made? If the city is so flush with money why don't they fix the streets? Or do they need more grants to do that. The point is somebody somewhere downtown has run the numbers and said " not only are we broke, we are busted and can't provide basic service (street repair, etc) to the public" UNLESS, we get more tax money. For a town that has lost thousands in population I don't see a bottle neck anywhere except in the budget downtown. If you own a business in any of these areas your inventory will be taxed, plain and simple YOUR TAXES WILL GO UP. Tell me what will they offer in return. Tell me how big my sign can be, what color to paint my business, come in and tax my coke machine like they did when I was in the city. I don't want it! Giving this bumbling crew downtown more tax money is like giving a crack head more crack or a drunk more booze.
Posted by andy (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SPANKY HE IS WHERE PETER R AN DWATTS TELL HIM
Posted by The_Punisher (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have to agree with NatchezEnema, looks like the city is scrounging for cash, at our expense of course! Many people (including me) moved into the county to get away from city government and city b.s. If this goes through just watch how fast our "leaders" vote themselves another pay increase, one could almost call this "legalized extortion." Thank God I live far enough away so that I won't have to worry about this foolishness, but then again the city may try to annex highway 61 North all the way out to the Jefferson county line next week.
When the next city/county election comes up please remember who did what and who did nothing.
Posted by natchez500 (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wrong again supervisors budget has been passed with no increase and no new taxes maybe a tax decrease how do you figure they are over the budget sheriff dept is under their old budget and road dept you need your facts straight looks like the county can control their budget give the dam city to the county and you will save money
Posted by lookingout (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you punisher....People bought in the county for a reason...If they want to make it city now i think they should have to buy peoples property if they do not want to be in the city limits...Buy it for the going rate.....
Posted by thetinman (Keith Reynolds) on August 31, 2008 at 12:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I sure hope they don't get to my place. I like the fact I live in the county. From other areas I have seen in the past annexes, I am yet to see progress. SO, do we who own land in the county that maybe in the annex areas want to pay more in land taxes vs cheaper insurance? I say I will pay the higher insurance on my place. My car insurance will be cheaper! My car tag will be cheaper! My land taxes will be cheaper! I bet I will have better protection from the Adams County Sheriffs Department, no offense to the Natchez P.D.. I am sure I will get sewer privilege! I am sure we will get fire hydrants! Talk ended up cheap in other annexes in the past. I am sure they will be in the future.
If Natchez is going broke, how will they afford the new annexes? And extra 300k more a year. This will pay for the sewer system upgrades? ROFL. Placing Fire Hydrants also. You are killing my while I am ROFL
Posted by presby (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 12:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The last time some of Morgantown road was annexed,a person that lived in Oakland subdivision said he replaced his septic tank after years of paying for the annexation. They didn,t get city sewage until 12 years after they started paying for the new annexation.ha..some of them died before the city finished
Posted by Fonzarosa (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 5:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
!!!krogers!!! if you keep on with your non sense about deteriorating developments in the city. Then why should I let you come to the county and deteriorate these comunities ?????????
my Prevost Motor home cost more then your homes in the city so I wouldn't want to devalue it by letting you annex the county
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me clear up something, I am not for annexation when people buy in the county to get away from the city.
But it is done all over and the only way to beat it is to go to Federal Court just like Byram had to do. It is expensive and the cities hire lawyers to beat the courts....
So , I just hope that if the annexation goes through, Natchez will quickly go through with improvements, not 12 years, how about 2 instead.
Posted by presby (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 11:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They couldn,t get a tepee built in 2 years around here. The planning commission would have to check with Indian affairs in Washington to make sure the colors were correct and if the poles leaned the right way and if it was authentic buffalo hide,etc....
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)