A possible annex war brews in Forsyth County as land owners push to become part of the city of Cumming.
The property in question includes 108 acres between Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Georgia 400 and Georgia 400 and Atlanta Highway.
Forsyth County commissioners discussed the request from the city during their recent work session, and County Attorney Ken Jarrard said they don't have many options.
"We don't have the right to deny an annexation," Jarrard explained. "What we have the right to do is object to an annexation."
District 4 Commissioner Cindy Mills said state leaders predicted the situation saying that, "...in every jurisdiction he had worked in that had cities that were created, then you start an annexation war because of the threat of the new city coming in with higher taxes. And that's, we're just seeing exactly what he said was going to happen, happen."
County Attorney Ken Jarrard said legal precedent already exists preventing the portion of the land previously designated within the proposed city limits of the city of Sharon Springs from being absorbed by the City of Cumming; if the new city is formed.
He said the city would have to "make their motion to annex it conditional upon the referendum. So, in other words, if the referendum is successful, obviously this is not part of the city because it's part of the new city."
County leaders approved the request and the formal decision will be voted upon at the next regular meeting on Tuesday.
