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Lincoln City council says annexation final; attorney outlines petition route for landowners
Summary
Landowners from an 88-acre area urged the Lincoln City Council to rescind a recent forced annexation, citing large tax increases; the council and city attorney said legal requirements were followed and described a statutory petition process to seek exclusion.
Several landowners affected by a forced annexation of roughly 88 acres asked the Lincoln City Council to reverse the decision, saying the property-tax impact will be severe. Lorraine Richard, who said she owns about 22 acres across multiple rental units, told the council her 2026 property tax increase will total “$20,768.11” and that assessments will require raising rents for tenants.
“I was wrong. They're not going up 47%. They're going up 49%. Now that comes out to $20,768 on my properties,” Richard told the council during public comment, asking the council to “please reconsider the forced annexation.”
Marie Mills, another landowner, said the council’s vote last fall was based on incorrect or incomplete information and urged elected members to be “accountable for all citizens.” She said landowners in the annexed area have their own septic systems, wells and roads and that many do not expect city services.
Mayor Kelly Bergland and city officials told residents the council had considered planning-and-zoning recommendations and that city council—rather than a planning commission member—had made the final decision. City Attorney Rodney explained the legal posture: the annexation process followed statutory requirements and is complete, but state law provides a petition process landowners may use to seek exclusion.
“As far as the properties, I acknowledge it's hard, but your properties do benefit from the city infrastructure services and in some of the long term planning,” the mayor said when responding to questions about benefits. Attorney Rodney said the city will evaluate any properly filed petition and assist counsel in analyzing legality at that time, but declined to give case‑specific legal advice in the public meeting.
Council members did not reverse the annexation at the meeting. Attorney Rodney and the mayor advised that the only immediate route to change the status is a formal petition under the state statutory process for excluding annexed land; if a properly framed petition is filed the council will evaluate it and may vote on the petition under statutory rules.
