justin.schneider@heraldbulletin.com

Anderson may extend its municipal borders into three neighboring townships.

In late 2006, London Witte Group of Indianapolis requested assessed valuations of neighborhoods in Lafayette, Richland and Union townships on behalf of the city. Such requests are often the first step in annexation.

Anderson Mayor Kevin Smith said extending the city limits would correct errors in the city utility policy.

“Policy in years past has allowed hundreds, if not thousands of homes constructed out of the city limits to have city sewer and city water,” Smith said. “We put a policy in place in 2004 that anyone outside of the city who hooks on to our sewer line signs a waiver of remonstrance of annexation.”

But Lafayette Township Assessor Sue Morgan said many who have connected to city water and sewer have paid for the privilege. And the waivers, which prohibit signees from fighting annexation, may not be legal. Morgan has seen many which fail to include even a legal description of the property.

The real issue, Morgan said, is taxation. Anderson’s municipal tax rate would double the taxes for many in Richland, Lafayette and Union townships. She said one of Lafayette’s largest businesses, E & B Paving, would pay $40,000 in additional taxes.

“I’m a farm and my taxes would be $1,000 more a year, so it’s double,” Morgan said. “My farmers out here cannot stand this much more taxes. I’m trying to protect the people that put me in office.”

Smith said township residents would realize other benefits by coming into the city.

“The differential in the property tax rate is not that great when you consider the amenities we offer. All of ours are (Advanced Life Support) ambulances, we have superior fire services and trash pickup,” Smith said. “That’s all included in the rates that we charge.”

Improved police and fire protection would reduce insurance premiums for many outside the city limits. Besides, Smith said, Anderson has reduced its tax rate two years in a row.

Madison County Assessor Cheryl Heath confirmed the release of 3,800 pieces of documentation in October, for which Anderson paid around $1,900.

Officials from Lafayette, Richland and Union townships met with Madison County attorney Jim Wilson to discuss the proposition of annexation and consider their options.

“Any time you lose your tax base, it’s a concern,” said Richland Township trustee/assessor Richard Cleaver. “In my area, we’re basically a bedroom community with no businesses to speak of. Any time we have a change in our assessed value, it hurts the people on a fixed income.”

Steve Anderson, Lafayette Township Trustee, said it is not the township’s role to direct the annexation debate.

“As an elected official you have to represent both sides, you can’t assume that everyone is going to be for it or against it,” Anderson said. “Our concern, of course, is the fact that Anderson’s taxes are a lot higher. There are considerable taxes coming from the 300 businesses in Lafayette Township. We would have a loss to make up.”

In order to proceed with annexation, Anderson officials must notify property owners by registered letter and then hold public hearings. By collecting 51 percent of signatures on a petition, the annexation can be blocked.

“I want the people here to know about it,” Morgan said. “This is all under the table, we need to get the information out.”

Smith said Anderson would gain leverage in the debate over Mallard Lake Landfill if the proposed site in Richland Township became part of the city. But Morgan said that area was not included in the assessed valuation documents.



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Possible annexation

In late 2006, Indianapolis-based London Witte Group acquired assessed valuations for Lafayette, Richland and Union townships on behalf of Anderson. Below are the areas being considered for annexation:

- Lafayette Township — 600 properties in Section 24, 25 and parts of 26, including Blair’s Green Acres, Maryland Gardens, Victory Gardens, Spring Valley and Northern Village.

- Richland Township — 1,200 properties in Sections 19, 20, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, including Salyers Golden Acres, Vermillion Heights, Richland Heights, Barr Acres, Hieheah Park, Richland Woods, Park Estates, Killbuck Terrace, Norwood Hills, Bethany Acres.

- Union Township — 250 properties in Sections 2, 3, 9, 15, 16, including Eastwood Farms, Emerald Glen, Emerald Park Development Highland Park, Lindberg Estates, Meadow Wood, Oakland Heights, Parkwood, Rangeline Village, River Park, Riverside Acres, Scots Glen, Walnut Grove, Wantland Manor, Woodcrest Union and Woodscliff.