Annexation

Annexation is defined as the act of incorporating territory into an existing geo-political entity. Annexation is a way for cities to provide urbanizing areas with municipal services and to exercise regulatory authority necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare. Residents and businesses outside a city's corporate limits benefit from access to the city's facilities and services and annexation allows them to share the tax burden associated with those facilities and services. Annexation is a growth management tool for cities and should be consistent with the policies and priorities identified in the city’s Comprehensive Plan.