Omaha's Apple Creek residents demand council address illegal annexation concerns

Concerns over the legality of the annexation of Apple Creek Mobile Home Park dominated the Lincoln City Council meeting on March 20, 2025. A resident raised serious allegations regarding the process, claiming it was conducted unlawfully and without proper notification to property owners. The speaker, who identified himself as a concerned citizen, argued that the city failed to follow North Dakota law, which requires that property owners be notified and allowed to object to annexations.

The resident specifically criticized the city for allowing Austin Burke, a property manager with a questionable business history, to operate without proper vetting. He claimed Burke's multiple addresses and legal issues in other states raised red flags about his legitimacy. The speaker demanded that the city withdraw the annexation, asserting that it had led to increased rents and devaluation of properties in the mobile home park.

City officials responded by defending the annexation process, stating that it had been completed according to statutory requirements and that any objections had been resolved through mediation. The city attorney clarified that once an annexation is finalized, it cannot be easily challenged unless there is a significant legal reason to do so.

In addition to the annexation discussion, the council addressed a separate matter regarding the appointment of conflict counsel for city prosecutions, which was approved unanimously. The meeting concluded with the declaration of a fire emergency and burn restrictions in response to high fire danger ratings in Burleigh County, effective until October 31, 2025.

The ongoing debate over the annexation highlights tensions between city governance and resident rights, with implications for property management practices and community relations in Lincoln.