Two annexation proposals Jefferson City had planned to pursue this year are being pushed back to 2014.
In January, the City Council authorized city staff to pursue two annexation proposals. The first proposal includes what's called Rademan Lane sub-area, and Frog Hollow 1 and 2 sub-areas. The city estimates that proposal would affect 192 people and consists of 196 acres.
The second proposal includes what's called the Popp/Hammann Farm sub-area, Wildwood Extension sub-area, Rademan Farm sub-area and Webb Farm sub-area. The city estimates that proposal would affect 40 people and consists of 546 acres. If approved for annexation by voters, both areas would be incorporated into the city's 4th Ward.
At the time, it was anticipated that the proposals would be placed on the August ballot, putting city staff under a tight deadline to complete a formal proposal and meet with affected residents.
But now, the timetable has been extended.
City Administrator Nathan Nickolaus said the plan now is to look at a ballot issue in spring 2014, possibly March or April. He said they opted to push back the date because of repeated concerns from council members about election expenses.
"The council is not very enthused about going and having an August election," Nickolaus said.
Without annexation on the August ballot, the city will not have to cover any expenses for that election. Because municipal elections are held in the spring, the city easily could tack on the annexation proposals to the ballot.
Planning and Protective Services Director Janice McMillan said the relaxed timetable is much more preferable as it typically takes about nine months to a year to really develop an annexation proposal.
"It was probably not the best idea to move forward with such a tight timeline," McMillan said.
She said staff will continue to work on a formal plan of intent and continue to develop a firm timeline for the how the proposals will progress.
Nickolaus said the city has held several informational meetings with residents already and although the city is not yet asking them to commit to anything, they have received a mixed reaction.
"Some people have been fairly positive about it, some people very negative," he said. "It's what I would expect."