SPRINGDALE — Annexations increased the size of Springdale on Tuesday, but not without growing pains.
The City Council voted unanimously to annex eight unincorporated islands into the city, islands surrounded by two or more cities. The council also approved an emergency clause, which put the vote into effect immediately.
The annexation included more than 1,000 acres, but Elm Springs may dispute an area of about 400 acres.
AT A GLANCE
Springdale City Council
Met: Tuesday
Actions On Items From The Agenda:
Approved waiving competitive bidding for health, dental, life, vision and long-term disability insurance for city employees
Approved settling a condemnation lawsuit along Wagon Wheel road with an additional payment of $66,150 to Rande and Alice Walker
Approved the purchase of a fire engine water pump replacement for no more than $20,000.
Source: Staff Report
The ballot for the Nov. 2 election in Elm Springs includes a vote on annexing much of the property in an unincorporated island west of Lake Elmdale. If the issue is approved, Elm Springs and Springdale would both have a claim to the property.
Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse and City Attorney Jeff Harper said the issue may end up in court.
“There is no case law on the subject,” Harper said. “I would argue that if we annexed it first, we should have the land.”
Elm Springs Mayor Jane Waters and Craig Hull, a planner hired by that city, asked the council to wait until after the election to annex.
“We’ve been working on this for a year and a half to two years,” Waters said. “If we don’t pass the annexation, you can take it then.”
The disputed area includes possible commercial development sites. Springdale, as part of its street bond program, extended Har-Ber Avenue to connect with North Maestri Road.
The intersection, located in the contested unincorporated island, was identified as a potential spot for development. Tontitown’s limits begin on the west side of North Maestri Road.
Terry Pinkley expressed the feeling of many of the crowd of about 65.
“Do we want to come into a city?” Pinkley asked. “No.”
Pinkley also acknowledged the people didn’t have much of a choice, since they would soon be going into one city or another.
Three residents of the planned annexed area west of Lake Elmdale said they would rather be in Springdale than Elm Springs. Kathy Burks said Elm Springs residents would out vote the few residents of that area.
David Arthur, a resident of an island along North Maestri Road south of West Sunset Avenue, begged the council not to annex.
“I’ll pay the difference in taxes to stay in the county,” Arthur said. “Please don’t take me in.”
Arthur and Sprouse debated the annexation, heatedly at times, before the council stamped its approval.
Arthur said the vote showed a lack of respect for Elm Springs and the residents of the newly incorporated areas.
“The little man got the shaft again,” Arthur said. “It shows the truck with the biggest wheels has the right of way.”