Administrator briefs board on proposed Plainview annexation; county remains neutral

County Administrator told the Wabasha County Board that the City of Plainview plans a special meeting in February to consider a petition to annex a 38‑acre parcel. The county has been neutral in the negotiations between Plainview and Plainview Township and will be served as part of the annexation process.

String and balloon (flag) approach: The Administrator described the proposal as a "string and balloon"—a narrow ribbon or flag of property run to make the 38 acres contiguous to the city. He said the City was not proposing to take whole parcels such as the Jorgensen property or the water/wastewater facility but was proposing a small connecting parcel to allow annexation of the 38 acres. The county has notified the township. The Administrator said, administratively, this style of annexation is typically frowned upon because it can create islands of nonconformity in zoning, and he said administrative law judges often do not favor this method.

Sewer district involvement: The Administrator said the Plainview‑Elgin sewer district is involved and that the sewer district would deed a small sliver of land to make the parcels contiguous to the 38 acres. He noted the sewer plant itself remains in township jurisdiction.

No formal county action requested: The Administrator did not ask the Board to take a position at the meeting; rather, he made the Board aware that the City will pursue its process and that the county will be served. He suggested the township may need to consider carefully whether to challenge the annexation method.

Next steps: The City of Plainview will hold a special meeting in February; the county expects to be served as part of the annexation petition process. No formal county motion or vote was taken at this meeting on the annexation.