(Milford)– An annexation battle appears to be brewing between the cities of Milford and West Okoboji.
It’s over the Ridgeview Estates Subdivision just northwest of Milford, and a requirement by the city of Milford for residents of that area to sign off on an agreement stating they would not oppose any attempts to involuntarily annex that area into the city in exchange for receiving city water. City code requires the document then be filed with the County Recorder’s Office as part of a property’s abstract. Residents contend the developer was not required to do that by the city, even though some homeowners in the subdivision were receiving city water. The residents say they feel they’re being strong-armed by the city to sign the agreement.
The issue came to light at a May 10th meeting of the Milford city council, when the council voted to require all residents of the subdivision sign the agreement within 60 days or be involuntarily annexed.
Siting their opposition to that action, property owners in the subdivision signed a petition to request voluntary annexation into the city of West Okoboji. The city council there has scheduled a public hearing on the matter for 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 14th.
Developing a strategy to that was discussed at a closed session last evening of the Milford City Council. After reconvening in open session, the council voted to rescind their action of May 10th and to meet with the city of West Okoboji to discuss the matter. They also set June 9th at 7:00 p.. as the date and time for a public hearing on the matter.
