(Milford)– There’s been a new development in an annexation controversy involving the cities of Milford and West Okoboji and the Ridgeview Estates residential development just northwest of Milford.
The controversy stems from a provision the city imposed upon Ridgeview Estates lot owners that allowed them to hook up to city water as long as they signed an agreement stating they would not oppose any attempt to annex that area into the city. However, several owners were allowed to hook up without having to sign the agreement. The city has admitted to the oversite. Another lot owner recently requested water and was told about the requirement. The lot owner refused to sign, siting the discrepancy.
Now, residents of the subdivision are requesting the city of West Okoboji voluntarily annex them into that city. A public hearing is set for this coming Monday, June 14th at the West Okoboji city hall.
Taking matters a step further, the Milford city council got involved in the matter late last month. They scheduled a public hearing on a proposal to involuntarily annex the area. The hearing was supposed to have been held Wednesday (6/9) evening. However, the hearing wound up being cancelled at the last minute. The only notification of the cancellation was a note taped to a door on the Community Building. It didn’t give a reason.
