Rep. K.L. Brown opposes proposed Jacksonville annexation

Rep. K.L. Brown

About 150 county residents met tuesday at Whites Gap Baptist Church Tuesday to discuss their opposition to the city of Jacksonville’s annexation plans.  The group got the support Tuesday of State Rep. K.L. Brown who told the group that “They shouldn’t be able to come out here and take that away from you, and I’m not going to let that happen.

The Jacksonville City Council has asked local lawmakers to support a bill that would absorb more acreage into the city limits. Whites Gap residents say they don’t want to live inside city limits, and that annexation through legislation would be unfair to property owners.

Annexation opponents have been contacting City Council members and lawmakers to garner support for their cause. On Tuesday they also passed a petition around the meeting room to get, on the record, a list of people who oppose the move.

Brown told residents that there is still confusion among community members about which land is up for annexation, and what property owners should expect if their land is incorporated into Jacksonville. He added that while he opposes the annexation of rural land, he still supports annexation of more urbanized areas near Jacksonville.

City officials have previously said annexation would allow Jacksonville to align the city’s limits with the school district, a move that would ensure the schools receive more property tax. The total property tax rate inside Jacksonville is 47.5 mills — or $47.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. Currently, Calhoun County residents in unincorporated northern areas pay 39.0 mills or $39 per $1,000 of assessed value.