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As the city of Columbus’ annexation struggle looks likely to stretch into at least next year, now is a good time to take a deep breath and ask, “Well, how did we get here?”
The saga begins
Public annexation discussion began back in October 2022, when Vice Mayor and Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens and Ward 5 Councilman Stephen Jones invited the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District to a Columbus City Council work session. The GTPDD representatives pitched a joint annexation-redistricting package that looked at taking in two areas to the east.
The first borders Ward 2 and Ward 3, and is bounded by Highway 82 in the north, Armstrong Road to the east, Lehmberg Road to the west and Deerfield Drive to the south.
The second is adjacent to Ward 1 and Ward 2. It is bounded by South Lehmberg Road on the east, the area adjacent to Scott Drive to the south, Hargrove Road to the west and Vernon Branch Creek to the north.
This sparked a long discussion about the pros and cons of annexation, culminating in the city hiring Oxford-based consultants Bridge and Watson — who were already working on a redistricting plan — to conduct a study. The study not only included the areas Mickens and Jones suggested, but also Columbus Air Force Base.
CAFB was eventually eliminated due to the excessive cost for, among other things, extending fire protection north along the Highway 45 corridor.
That left the two original areas on the table.
‘Reasonableness’
The city council approved an annexation ordinance March 5. Mayor Keith Gaskin vetoed it later that same week, calling it “unwise.” The council overturned his veto the following week at a special call meeting.
The next step is for the city to take its case to Lowndes County Chancery Court, where it will, essentially, follow the same steps as any other piece of litigation. The city is the plaintiff, and therefore carries the burden of proof. Under state law it must prove its request to annex new territory is “reasonable.”
What is or is not “reasonable” is determined by 12 factors set out in state law: does the city have a need to expand; is the proposed annexation area in the city’s path of growth; are there potential health hazards in the annexation area; does the city have the financial ability to pay for annexation; does this area have a need for planning and zoning; are there needed municipal services in the annexation area; are there natural barriers between the city and the annexation area; does the city have a good history of past performance in providing services to existing residents and property owners; what economic, social or other impact will it have on those in the annexation area; will it have an impermissible impact on minority voting strength; do residents or property owners in the annexation area receive benefits due to their proximity to the city without paying their fair share of taxes; and any other factors the court may choose to consider.
The annexation case will, eventually, go to trial before a chancery judge. The trial will proceed like any other court case, with discovery and depositions and testimony from both sides. The judge will use the evidence presented at the trial to weigh whether the city satisfies the reasonableness requirement and issue a verdict.
Citizens in the affected area can, of course, protest. A group of vocal citizens are already doing just that, showing up at city town halls and council meetings to voice their displeasure. The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors threw its weight behind the protest movement on April 1, pledging up to $50,000 for legal fees.
Numbers provided by the Golden Triangle Development LINK show annexation would worsen the city’s economic demographics, driving down rates of home ownership, median income, per capita income and household disposable income while driving the poverty rate up.
The road ahead
The first hearing on the annexation suit is set for July 15, and Watson told the council last week there is unlikely to be any movement in the case before November. The bulk of the struggle will likely be next year.
In the meantime, Watson told the council it needed to get moving on redistricting. Next year is a municipal election cycle, and the Lowndes County Circuit Clerk’s office needs new district lines in place by Aug. 1.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
