Council approves large voluntary annexation of nearly 1,000 acres over resident objections

The Saint Cloud City Council voted 4-1 to approve ordinance 2025-28, voluntarily annexing approximately 997.034 acres into the city under existing encumbrance agreements and the joint planning agreement with Osceola County.

Melissa Dunklin, director of community development, told the council the annexation "meets the statutory requirements and is consistent with our joint planning agreement with Osceola County, as it is contiguous to city limits and is reasonably compact." She described the annexation as an "encumbrance" process that follows recorded covenants placed on parcels to allow properties receiving city water or sewer to be annexed when contiguous to city limits.

The item drew more than a dozen public speakers. Residents from Twin Lakes,…