GAINESVILLE - Gainesville City Council Thursday heard a plan for annexing over 500 "islands" of county property - parcels surrounded by the city limits.
City Planning Director Kip Padgett advised annexing all the county parcels in at one time, like the city of Valdosta did.
"The issue is improving service delivery and by bringing them in all at one time that would help improve service delivery all at one time," Padgett said. He recommended a slow, deliberate approach of up to a year with plenty of time for study, support and public hearings.
"In the process we proposed we would send out a letter to each effected property holder describing the benefits of being in the city; gathering the information for over 500 parcels would be a tremendous undertaking."
Padgett suggested getting property holders to "buy in" to the annexation though state law allows the city to annex the properties.
"You can," Councilwoman Ruth Bruner said," but I believe you have to go through this process of having the public meetings and giving people the chance to come and express their concerns."
Bruner said the property holders need to know the benefits of coming into the city.
"They will have some adjustment on their water and sewer bill, they will have more services," she said.
Padgett's presentation also listed challenges to the city including increased public safety service delivery, the effect of water and sewer rates, and increased road maintenance.
Benefits to the city would include clearing up city and county boundary lines, redevelopment with city standards and additional property tax revenue.
Thursday
May 29th, 2025
2:50AM
