Lake City council approves first reading of Highway 47 annexation after ISBA explanation

Lake City’s City Council voted unanimously Jan. 5 to adopt on first reading an ordinance to annex property in the Highway 47/I‑75 joint planning area.

The ordinance (Ordinance 2026‑23‑49, petition ANX25‑07) would annex parcel 08881‑000 into the city following procedures set out in the city’s interlocal service boundary agreement (ISBA) with Columbia County. Mister Angelo, who presented the application on behalf of staff, said the parcel lies in the ISBA area and that staff recommended approval after incorporating planning reports into the record.

During public comment, Mister Loker questioned whether the map in the agenda packet clearly showed the parcel as part of Lake City and asked why the matter was being handled as an annexation rather than by an interlocal agreement. “If you look at this map … it’s clearly not in the city of Lake City,” Loker said, and asked about police and fire protection arrangements for the area.

City Manager Rosenthal and City Attorney Martin responded that the city and county adopted the ISBA by ordinance in November and December and that part 2 of chapter 171 of the Florida Statutes permits municipalities, by agreement with the county, to delineate noncontiguous areas for voluntary annexation and to define how services will be provided. Martin told the council the parcel falls within that ISBA area and said the ordinance meets the statutory requirements for voluntary annexation.

After limited council discussion, a member moved to approve the ordinance on first reading and a second was recorded. The roll call recorded all members voting in favor; the motion carried.

The ordinance will return for subsequent readings and final adoption per the city’s ordinance schedule.