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Annexation Will Have To Wait

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By KATHY STEELE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 31, 2008

EAST TAMPA - The city is putting an annexation proposal on hold due to its costs and concerns that not enough property owners would support it.

An initial meeting to discuss annexation of about 75 acres, including five blocks of unincorporated Grant Park, was held last year. Some favored the proposal, but others asked whether some streets could be left out.

"My feeling was there was not consensus," said Cynthia Miller, the city's growth management and development services director. "What we were getting from folks was there were a lot of questions."

Local governments, including Tampa, also have felt the pinch of property tax reform and shrinking revenue. The city last year had layoffs and this year expects to cut more jobs.

Miller said the city at least for now cannot take on the costs to annex and provide services to the unincorporated portions of Grant Park.

If there is a clear signal from property owners that they want annexation, Miller said the city would "be happy to re-engage but we've put it on hold."
Grant Park Civic Association President Ralph Johnson said he has heard from residents who were disappointed. He plans to invite Miller to the association's July meeting.

"I hope they come back," said Johnson, who lives in the county.

Most of Grant Park is within the borders of East Tampa's community redevelopment area, where the city is reinvesting a portion of annual property taxes to revitalize blighted communities.

Last year the city repaved 80 streets in Grant Park with about $300,000 collected from East Tampa's property taxes, but the project left out the five blocks of county streets.

Annexation would not mean that county residents would be eligible for similar projects unless the city also opted to redraw the special tax district boundaries, which are Hillsborough Avenue, Interstates 275 and 4 and the city limits.

The proposed annexation area was 75 acres bordered by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Interstate 4 and North 56th Street. The 2000 census showed the area had 238 properties, including 196 residences, with a taxable value of more than $18 million, city officials said.

A city report showed that for annexed residents some fees including sewer and water would be lower, but others such as electricity, cable and stormwater would be higher.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 835-2103 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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