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, King's Crest and other neighborhoods repeatedly said they were not informed of the encumbrance language tied to their properties at the time of purchase. William Thomas Fisher said the planning commission had voted to deny the annexation and urged the council to follow that recommendation: "I strongly suggest that you comply with the recommendation and deny this annexation." Wanda Penny Patterson described the change as a financial hardship: "Don't impact my family. Don't impact my friends and neighbors." Ricardo Watson argued the notice and recording were deficient and said he had filed a legal objection; he called the process "a failure to disclose material facts" and warned of legal consequences under Florida real estate disclosure law.

Council members heard technical and service-related explanations from staff and public-safety chiefs. Jason Miller, fire chief, said city units already run a large share of emergency calls in the area: "Statistically speaking, we ran half those calls" in the Twin Lakes area, he said, noting city stations are often closer than county stations. Miller said Fire Station 35 on Neptune Road is planned and that a projected opening is "around August, September of next year." He added that a faster response can save lives: "A fire doubles in size every minute."

City staff and the city attorney explained that many encumbrances were recorded as part of past development agreements to secure city water and sewer extensions. Addressing legal remedies, the city attorney said these encumbrances were a condition of receiving centralized services and therefore are records the city can rely on when processing voluntary annexations.

Council discussion focused on balancing resident concerns with long-term service planning. Council member Urban said he sympathized with residents on fixed incomes but added his duty to the city: "I've swore an oath to this office to be fiscally responsible for the city." After debate, Urban moved to approve the ordinance; the motion carried 4-1 with Deputy Mayor Fletcher voting no.

The approval means the annexation will move forward under the voluntary encumbrance process described by staff. Residents and several speakers said they would pursue legal and other remedies outside the council process.