(Okoboji)– A proposed voluntary annexation of land just north of Okoboji’s current city limits into that city is drawing concern from some of the taxing entities that would be affected.
The 13.3 acres of land lies between the Bay Rym area and Pikes Point State Park. It has a property valuation of nearly 22.5 million dollars. And prospects of losing out on that taxable valuation drew concern at a public hearing Thursday evening from representatives of Lakeville Township, the Spirit Fire Department and the county.
Linda Voss, a member of the Lakeville Township Board of Trustees and Treasurer of the Spirit Lake Fire Department’s Board of Directors told the Okoboji city council the annexation would have a dramatic impact on the township’s fire protection budget. She says it would result in the tax burden being spread further among the various entities within the Spirit Lake Fire District, including the cities of Spirit Lake and Orleans.
Voss says the rural services portion of the county’s budget would take a substantial hit as well. Two county supervisors, Paul Johnson and Marti Allen, were on hand at the meeting. They asked several questions about the annexation proposal but didn’t comment on any possible implications to the county. The supervisors in coming weeks will consider a resolution regarding the proposal–they could vote in favor of it, oppose it, or take no action.
Spirit Lake Fire Chief David Kollasch expressed concern over the time it would take for the Arnolds Park-Okoboji Fire Department to respond to fire calls in the affected area, which is currently served by the Spirit Lake department. Arnolds Park-Okoboji Chief Chris Yungbluth concurred that it would take his department more time to get to that area as it’s farther away from his department’s stations than Spirit Lake’s.
Meanwhile, the vast majority of people who live in the affected area are in favor of the proposed annexation. Only 12.6 percent didn’t respond to a petition requesting the voluntary annexation. And it was reported quite a few of them are in favor, but whatever reason didn’t sign the petition.
Okoboji City Attorny Mike Chozen told the council Thursday’s consultation hearing is just the first step in a lengthy and complicated process of moving ahead with the voluntary annexation. Additional hearings must still be held with other entities that serve the affected area.
And because the area in question lies within two miles of boundaries of the cities of Spirit Lake and Wahpeton, Chozen says those two cities must consent, along with the State Development Board before the annexation could become final. Chozen says either city could kill the proposed annexation if it votes to deny their consent.
