Hudson Oaks, Annettas discuss consolidation
By Daniel Brannigan
The Community News
The towns of Annetta, Annetta North, Annetta South and the City of Hudson Oaks took a preliminary step toward consolidation during a workshop meeting last Wednesday, Feb. 28, discussing the need to prepare for future growth and meet surface water demands.
The councils urged their residents to express their opinions on the matter and give the cities feedback.
If nothing else, it was an education process for the mayors, council and the public in attendance as to why the move is being considered and what the benefits would be.
“We’re not asking you to approve or disapprove anything…this is a beginning step,” Annetta South Mayor Gerhard Kleinschimdt said.
While talk of a merge has been considered for a number of years, it was the first time councils were involved in discussions.
Hudson Oaks Mayor Pat Deen explained that the four mayors have informally talked about the possibility for the past couple of months and the workshop was a chance to determine the interests of the councils.
“This is not about merging for what’s best for the cities, it’s what’s best for the people,” Deen said. “It’s exciting, but it’s a challenging task as well.”
Among other things, the group talked about how joining together could better prepare the cities for the future and help solve issues together as one instead of separately as four.
The meeting covered topics ranging from taxes, surface water and ordinances to administrative needs, such as a meeting place, staff, paperwork and elections.
Councils are expected to separately discuss the issue during regular meetings and are likely to get back together for another workshop, though one has not yet been scheduled.
Residents of each city would have an opportunity to vote on the matter if it gets that far. Completion of a merger between the four municipalities would be at least two years away under current laws due to a drawn out election process.
See the March 2 issue of The Community News for a brief note on the meeting and for complete coverage, see the March 9 issue.
