Crothersville sets public hearing for annexation proposal

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CROTHERSVILLE — The next step in Crothersville’s process to annex five areas into the town has been completed.

During a recent meeting, the town council unanimously passed resolutions for an annexation study of each of the areas and ordinances for annexation of each of the real estate areas.

Next, town attorney Matt Lorenzo said the town will have to conduct a public hearing within 60 days.

In that time, the 39 property owners affected by the proposed annexation will receive a copy of the studies — done by Brad Bender with FPBH Inc. — by certified mail. They also will receive a notice of the public hearing, which the council set for 6 p.m. March 28 at the town hall, 111 E. Howard St.

During that hearing, people can give their opinions on the proposal and ask questions. At least three of the five council members will need to attend along with Lorenzo, Bender and Clerk-Treasurer Danieta Foster.

After that, the council will have to take final action on the second reading of the ordinances within 30 to 60 days.

Annexation is a process governed by state statute with a number of requirements, including contiguity of existing town boundaries and a provision of capital and noncapital services, Bender said.

Capital services include water, sanitary sewer and fire protection, while noncapital services include police protection and trash pickup. Bender said if the town approves the annexation ordinances for each of the five areas, the town will have three years to provide capital services and one year to provide noncapital services.

Bender said annexation helps a community set up some orderly growth for development and opportunities and helps set a tax base, and residents also could vote in the town elections and even run for town council or clerk-treasurer.

In October 2021, six public outreach meetings were conducted. That’s a state-required process to inform affected property owners about the annexation proposal.

The property owners received letters to let them know about the meetings and maps of the areas. Then they could pick a date and time that worked best for their schedule to attend.

Written and visual information regarding the proposed boundaries, extension of services and fiscal impact were provided at each meeting. Each area also was enlarged on posterboards with parcels listed on the back at the town hall for people to view during business hours.

Here’s a breakdown of each area:

A: 13.64 acres on U.S. 31 between south of Marshall Drive and north of Industrial Way, including nine parcels surrounded by town limits and five parcels with two common owners with a total assessed value of $580,500. It has all sewer and water utilities, which were installed on the west side of U.S. 31 in 2005. To satisfy annexation requirements, two parcels on the east side need to be connected because fire protection already is in place.

B: 161.97 acres south of the industrial park from the railroad to frontage on Bethany Road, including four parcels, two with common owners and two parcels owned by the railroad with an assessed value of $147,900. It will require sewer and water extensions and fire protection. The tax rate should not increase as long as it remains agricultural.

C: 183.94 acres north and south of County Road 600S from town limits near East Street to County Road 1150E where the town has a lift station, including 23 parcels and four with two common owners with an assessed value of $2,764,400. Utilities were installed in 2005, but sewer and water services need to be set out to eight parcels. Fire protection is in place. The roadway would become the town’s responsibility and formally be changed to Moore Street. The tax rate shouldn’t increase for four of the parcels as long as they remain agricultural.

D: 160.33 acres northeast of town limits with limited frontage on Moore Street, including one parcel with an assessed value of $181,400. Sewer service is needed. The tax rate shouldn’t increase as long as it stays agricultural.

E: 58.98 acres south of town from U.S. 31 to town limits, including two parcels and one common owner (Sims Bark). The frontage road would become the town’s responsibility from U.S. 31 to where it turns north. It doesn’t require any utility services or sewer extensions.

Questions regarding property tax impact were shared with Reuben Cummings with GFC LLC so he can do an analysis on the projected tax rates, Bender said. If the parcel is assessed as agricultural, he said the rate will not change unless the use changes.

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