ROGERS -- The City Council approved Tuesday annexing land east and west of Arkansas 112 over the objections of some of the people who live within the area.
The council voted 9̶-̶0̶ 8-0* to approve the annexation and a special election will be held Nov. 14. No member of the City Council had any questions or comments on the annexation during the meeting.
Taxes
County Assessor Roderick Grieve said taxes would increase 6 percent to 7 percent in the proposed annexation area if voters approve the land joining the city. One parcel he checked would see property taxes go from $160 a year to $173. The millage rate would depend on which school district the property is in, Grieve said.
The ordinances provide that owners of the property now used for agricultural purposes my continue to use the land as such and so long as they do, the will continue to taxed at the agricultural rate.
Source: Staff report
The annexation concerns areas east and west of Arkansas 12 and there are four areas with about 4,000 acres being considered for annexation, according to Mayor Greg Hines.
Brian McDonald, who lives in the annexed area, said he and the majority of residents wanted no part of the annexation.
McDonald said he spoke to several City Council members last week and they had very little information concerning the annexation. McDonald said he was disappointed the council would vote on an issue impacting so many people without gathering more information.
McDonald told council members he wasn't being disrespectful but the residents didn't want water, sewer or police services.
McDonald also said it was unfair the 42,000 registered voters in Rogers would be allowed to vote on the issue while there are 200 registered voters in the annexed area. "We would have a better chance of surviving the Alamo in a scenario like this," McDonald said.
The residents against the annexation have banded together and planned to fight the ordinances, McDonald said.
Don Rone, a rancher who lives in the proposed annexation area, also spoke against it. Rone was concerned the annexation may negatively impact his ranching operation.
Rone said, if annexed, he would have to abide by Rogers' codes and requirement if he needed to build a barn on his ranch.
"Why do you want me in the city of Rogers," Rone asked. "I don't understand that at all."
Connie Lantz and another property owner spoke in favor of the annexation at the meeting. Lantz said they own 130 acres in the area and she wanted to voice her support in favor of the annexation.
Hines said he understands the fears and concerns of the residents, but he also understands change.
Hines said the city set up a special email account to receive questions from the homeowners in the area. Hines said they didn't receive any responses.
State law provides voters in the areas proposed for annexation and city residents are eligible to vote, according to Hines. Hines said the Benton County Clerk's Office made a rough estimate of about 200 voters in the annexation areas. Rogers has more than 42,000 registered voters.
According to Hines, the decision to annex the areas was prompted by a number of recent voluntary annexations and the areas are in Rogers' water service area.
Rone said he was disappointed in the City Council's decision, but he believes the council members minds were already made before the meeting.
Rone said their fight against the annexation hasn't ended.
NW News on 08/23/2017
*CORRECTION: The Rogers City Council voted 8-0 for a special election Nov. 14 on annexing more than 3,000 acres into the city. The vote was reported incorrectly in a previous version of this story.