Jacksonville revamps annexation plans

The city of Jacksonville plans to move forward with an annexation bill that would incorporate a few small spots of land outside its existing perimeter.

Initially the city had  planned to annex large areas of land south of the Public Square, but it scaled back the annexation proposal after residents protested.

Mayor Johnny Smith said the council’s goals include closing unincorporated islands within the city, absorbing several businesses south of the square, and bringing in the Whites Gap Estates and Pebble Creek subdivisions.

Children in those subdivisions attend Jacksonville City Schools, but their parents’ property taxes are paid to the county schools. Officials say annexation would direct that tax money to the Jacksonville public school system.

Though the annexation bill the city is also attempting to absorb Germania Springs, a city park that is outside the city’s limits.

Alabama cities can annex land at the request of landowners whose properties border existing city limits, by popular vote, or by legislative action. Jacksonville chose to seek annexation through legislative action.

After the council began formally seeking support from lawmakers for the idea in December, residents crowded into the council chambers to object. Whites Gap residents later organized their own meeting inside the fellowship hall of a church. A third meeting on the matter was hosted by the city and attracted a standing-room-only crowd.