Council adopts ordinance deannexing 5875 Highway 319 West over service-extension concerns

At the meeting (date not specified), the City Council voted 8-0 to adopt an ordinance deannexing property at 5875 Highway 319 West, citing lack of city services and the cost of extending those services to the area.

City staff told the council the applicant requested detachment "due to lack of city services in the area and, therefore, the cost being too great to extend those services needed, based on the amount of residents in the area." Staff said the property sits along the western boundary of the city on the road that connects Highway 64/Old Moreton Highway to Cadron Settlement Park and is contiguous with land owned by Bill Atkinson.

Staff noted the city does not often receive detachment requests, said the unusual request caused a short delay in placing the item on the agenda and "we actually offered our apology to the property owner, Mister Furlough, for that delay in getting this done." The staff presentation also referenced a prior February 2018 council approval that detached two larger adjoining parcels for similar service-cost reasons.

The council adopted the ordinance by voice vote; the minutes record the vote as passing 8-0. Council members recorded as voting in favor were Miss Veil, Mister Jones, Mister Hawks, Mister Grimes, Mister Ledbetter, Mister Spergers, Mister Hawkins and Missus Smith.

The applicant, identified in the meeting as Mister Furlough, was present and available to answer questions. Council members and staff discussed that the relevant utility services referenced for this area are provided by Colony Corporation Water and Sewer. No related conditions, amendments, or follow-up tasks were stated in the public record of the meeting.

The ordinance removes the property from city limits; staff said the action was triggered by the city's assessment that extending water and sewer to the site would be cost-prohibitive given the number of residents served.

No legal citations or additional regulatory provisions were cited on the record during discussion.