Justin Schneider
justin.schneider@heraldbulletin.com
Anderson’s plan to explore annexation has ignited a firestorm among residents of Lafayette, Richland and Union townships.
On March 25, The Herald Bulletin reported that the city had gathered assessed valuations for more then 3,800 properties for possible annexation. Since then, more than 35 reader comments have been posted on the newspaper Web site in response to the story.
“We do not have city water or sewage, and I have no idea why you think we do,” read a typical comment posted by “Vickie” and addressed to Mayor Kevin Smith. “I have lived here 30 years and never had it or wanted it. We like it here in the country.”
Annexation would mean higher property taxes for the three areas in question. In 2006, Anderson residents paid a municipal tax rate of 3.6903, much higher than Lafayette (2.3833), Richland (2.3193) or Union (2.5383) townships.
Smith said annexation would allow the city to correct inconsistencies in its utility policy and to gain leverage in the debate over the proposed Mallard Lake Landfill, which lies in the area under consideration. It would give township residents access to Anderson municipal water and sewer services. The townships, Smith added, would also benefit from improved police and fire services, a comment that drew the ire of many readers concerned about insurance rates.
Jamey Burrows, deputy chief of the Chesterfield Union Township Volunteer Fire Department, said Insurance Services Office, Inc. measures the quality of fire services in order to set insurance rates. Ratings are based on a 10-point scale, with one being the best and 10 being no fire protection.
Burrows’ department has been awarded a rating of four; Anderson Fire Chief Phil Rogers said his department’s ISO rating is five. But a rating shift of one or two numbers may not affect insurance rates.
“Not every insurance company uses it because it’s a third-party thing,” Burrows said. “The ones that do tend to group categories. Ten would be the highest premium, but eight and nine might be the same thing. So, a move from five to four does not mean homeowners get a break.”
On the surface, the Anderson Fire Department appears no better than its Chesterfield Union Township counterpart. And Burrows said annexation would undoubtedly hurt his department.
“I live in the town of Chesterfield, and it would not affect me, but it would definitely affect the fire department,” Burrows said. “Our funding comes from the township. If they lose tax base that affects the town. There’s a snowball effect that people don’t always realize.”
Toby Buck has owned Anderson Power Sports, 3165 Indiana 9, just outside the Anderson city limits, for 10 years. Buck would feel the impact of annexation as a businessman and a home owner.
He said both Anderson Power Sports and his home are connected to the municipal sewer, but use wells for water. The only government service Buck is interested in would be a reconfiguration of the intersection of Indiana 9 and Indiana 109 near his business.
“I’d like them to tell us what the benefits are,” Buck said. “Trash service, I get cheaper going through privatization than going through the city. Snow removal, I don’t know if the guys in the city would get to us any faster than the county.”
Ross Buckman, who lives in Union Township, called for residents to unite in opposition to the annexation.
“I may be out of the loop, but I imagine I’m probably a typical homeowner,” Buckman said. “When you purchase a house, you base it on what your monthly payment will be, what the monthly taxes will be and you build a budget around that. When you have something go up so dramatically, it throws off your budget.”
Buckman is a retired teacher from Anderson and Highland high schools. Like many homes, his is connected to Anderson municipal sewer but not water. He is also concerned about the resale value of township homes in an unstable housing market.
“It’s not easy to sell homes in this area,” he said. “One of my fears is that an increased tax rate will make housing a little more unattractive. There are a lot of issues, a lot of angles.”
One reader, “Kelli,” provided a rare counterpoint in the discussion.
“I used to live in Richland Woods and it sure would have been nice to be able to tap into the city for fire services, snow removal (and) library services,” “Kelli” wrote. “Yes, our taxes were extremely low, but we traded out for that by not having many conveniences ... I loved being out in the country, but I don’t miss being snowed-in for days because I can’t afford a snow-blower and the lawn guy is too busy to plow my driveway. I am willing to pay a little higher taxes in order to enjoy the conveniences of the city.”
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Anderson officials are exploring annexation of portions of Lafayette, Richland and Union townships. The action would increase tax rates for businesses and home owners. Below are the 2006 tax rates for the three townships and the city:
- Lafayette Township: 2.3833
- Richland Township: 2.3193
- Union Township: 2.5383
- City of Anderson: 3.9603
— Source: Madison County Assessor’s Office
