The Effects of Annexation

Gary HallenFebruary 19, 2007

Evaluation of Policy

Overview of Annexation Definitions, History, Perceptions and Controversy

Outline of Presentation

Topic and Questions

Areas of Consensus and Debate

Conclusion

Overview of Annexation

The shaded area The shaded area

is County Area.is County Area.

The light area is The light area is

currently the City.currently the City.

Post AnnexationWhen the city When the city annexes area annexes area there aren’t any there aren’t any pockets of County pockets of County Area. It is all part Area. It is all part of the City and no of the City and no longer governed longer governed by the County, as by the County, as its sole its sole municipality.municipality.

Annexation History

Most Common Boundary Change for Municipalities

Proliferation in the 1950’s in California

AB 1662 – Formation of LAFCO Review and approve proposed

annexations

AB 2223 – New Expedited Process

Perceptions and Controversy

Land Grab – the Bigger, the Better

Sales Tax Shifting or “Stealing”

Control Issues – Land Use control

City’s provide “better” services

Evaluation of Policy

Evaluation of Annexation What are the issues to evaluate?

Three Key Issues Economic Development – Sales Tax Political Changes – Demographic

Changes Social Issues - Outreach

Consensus and DebateConsensus and Debate

Consensus - Economic Development Key Control of Use Potential Sales Tax Revenue Commercial viability

Debate – ”Only a smoke screen” Sales Tax is a small portion of Total

Revenue Politicians and politics

Sales Tax DebateSales Tax Debate

Consensus cont.

Social Interactions Residents need feedback City Officials need feedback

Forum for Social Interplay Meetings, Surveys, Council Hearings

Debate of Social Interactions Do the residents see a benefit?

Consensus cont.Consensus cont.

Political Changes Growth population Potential Property Tax revenue

Debate of Political Change Houston example – Growth by Pyramid

scheme Provide the services still needed Dilute the Minority voting strength –

Demographic change

ConclusionConclusion

Hot Button Issue for Cities and Hot Button Issue for Cities and CountiesCounties

Current Laws Current Laws Evaluation of Past Annexation Evaluation of Past Annexation Impacts on: Impacts on:

Economic Development – Control Economic Development – Control Political Changes – Demographic ChangePolitical Changes – Demographic Change Social Interactions – OutreachSocial Interactions – Outreach