Siloam Springs hurries to annex Dawn Hill area
Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008
SILOAM SPRINGS ó Siloam Springs Planning Commission took the first step to double the cityís size June 12.
Commissioners decided to annex several thousand acres north, east and southeast of the city in a special-called meeting at noon Thursday.
Voters must approve the proposed annexation in an election for it to take effect. Registered voters living in the proposed annexation area and the current city limits would be able to vote on it.
It might be on the general election ballot in November if Siloam Springs Board of Directors approves the annexation. The first reading is expected to be July 1.
The proposed annexation would include ï Dawn Hill community ï City Lake ï Edgewood Subdivision ï Meadowood Subdivision ï Sycamore Heights Subdivision This area, excluding the three subdivisions, consists of 441 homes on 3, 421 acres, according to a report from city planning staff. About 1, 100 people live in the area, based on an average occupancy rate of 2. 534 people per home. This was the average used in the special census in 2006.
Voters must approve the annexation by December 2009 for the annexed area to be counted as part of the city in the 2010 U. S. Census, said Jeff Hawkins, director of Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning.
The estimated population increase would mean the city would receive an extra $ 68, 750 per year in state turnback money. The city receives $ 62. 50 per resident in turnback money. Seventy-five percent of this money goes to roads, and the rest goes into the cityís general fund.
ì Weíve got to think about the future today, î Director Judy Nation said. ì We need to look at annexation now. î
If the city did not annex any more land, the city would grow to a maximum population of 26, 446 in the 2030 s, said Ben Rhoads, long-range city planner. The projection was determined using the current 3 percent annual growth rate in the city.
Gary Gray, chairman of the planning commission, said the proposed annexation would allow the city to grow for another 25 to 30 years instead of 15 years.
ì Letís strike while the ironís hot, î Gray said.
Directors were concerned that Gentry might continue annexing land to the south.
The town recently annexed land to the south, Hawkins said.
ì If we donít do it, they will, î Nation said.
Director John Turner said he couldnít support the annexation if problems within the city are not addressed.
ì I canít support it if we close our eyes to the people we have in town, î he said.
The estimated cost for the annexation if the city had impact fees in effect for the area would put the city $ 9. 4 million in debt, according to the report from planning staff.
This would likely be paid for with a bond issue.
ì Letís take the financial bullet and go, î Director Mark Long said. ì Weíre just protecting our future. î
One of the greatest costs would be to buy out customers from their current electric provider. This would allow Siloam Springs Electric Department to start providing them electricity.
Rhoads estimated that each home could be purchased for about $ 3, 500. This would include the electric infrastructure.
This estimate might be low, however.
The city paid $ 7, 200 to buy out each electric customer in the Villa View area when it was annexed into the city, said Thomas Teafatiller, electric engineer for Siloam Springs Electric Department.
The cost was more was because the electric company used a different voltage than the city electric department, and the fuses had to be replaced.
John Bland, electric department superintendent, said everyone in the proposed annexation area could be using city electricity in three to four years.
Some of the homes on the land proposed for annexation now have city electric and water service. Many are on septic tanks.
Directors discussed installing main water and sewer lines so developers could connect onto them later.
State law requires the annexed area to start receiving several city services within 30 days of the approved annexation ï Police ï Fire ï Code enforcement ï Animal control ï Sanitation services Street maintenance must be taken over within 90 days of approval.
The city expects to host public hearings on the annexation soon.
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