Commission receives City of Goddard service plan for proposed unilateral annexation

Sedgwick County commissioners voted to receive and file the City of Goddard’s service plan related to a proposed unilateral annexation.

Assistant County Counselor Samantha Singh presented the plan and said the county circulated the service details to governmental departments and the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission reviewed the proposal on Feb. 27, 2025. At that MAPC hearing, planning staff determined the annexation aligns with the comprehensive plan and Goddard’s future land-use map, Singh said.

Why it matters: Under the unilateral annexation process, a city may annex property without the property owners’ consent. State statute and county policy require the annexing city to submit a service plan specifying the services it will provide. Singh said the City of Goddard’s plan lists water and sewer extensions, street maintenance to be performed by Goddard, police services to be provided by the city, and zoning/enforcement under the city planning department. The county will retain responsibility for fire and EMS services. The plan also describes local street improvement financing through special assessment and bonding.

Singh said the city intends a public hearing on March 25, 2025. She offered the commission options: receive and file (the recommended action), ask the county counselor to send comments to the city, prepare a formal county resolution with findings, or send a county representative to testify at Goddard’s hearing. Commissioner questions clarified the county’s role is review and later follow-up to confirm the city delivers the services as promised; Singh said the county will check compliance after three years.

Action: The commission voted 5‑0 to receive and file the service plan. The county did not take further action at the meeting.