Photo: Emily Loftis/ WFIU
Remonstrators of the annexation are expected to petition the city's plan by Feb. 24.
Opponents of the city of Kokomo’s latest annexation that affects nearly 800 landowners and takes effect March 1 are gaining momentum.
A petition to challenge the annexation must be filed by Feb. 24. Indianapolis Lawyer Tonny Storey is one of the attorneys representing the remonstrators and says 65 percent of landowners affected by the annexation have agreed to sign a petition, though it has not been put on paper.
“We definitely have enough petitions to go ahead and file the petition,” Storey says. “We’re currently drafting that petition. It should be filed sometime in the near future.”
Opponents of the annexation say it means the city must provide more services such as fire and police, and they will be the ones to pay for those services in city taxes.
Mayor Greg Goodnight says he still hopes to find common ground with the landowners. He also says if the petition is filed, the council will discuss their concerns.
“There’s no urgency on our part. If the process needs to take place then obviously we will be willing to do that,” Goodnight says.
The annexation would add approximately 4,000 acres on the South East side of Kokomo along U.S. 31.
