Residents describe repeated annexation attempts; trustees ask county for joint hearings

Minutes show trustees received a resolution asking the county commissioners to hold a joint hearing on annexation proposals involving Columbus and Hilliard. The trustees voted to forward the request to the county and to seek a joint hearing so affected parties could present concerns.

Resident statements recorded in the minutes say they petitioned to annex to Columbus after several unsuccessful annexation attempts by Hilliard. The residents said prior ballots and petitions to annex to Hilliard were defeated and that Hilliard officials later re-drew boundaries and again sought annexation; citing repeated efforts, residents said they chose to petition Columbus so that sewer and water services would be available if the area is developed.

The minutes include a written statement (attached to the record) summarizing the residents’ reasons for choosing Columbus in part to avoid water and sewer surcharges they expected under Hilliard annexation. The record documents the procedural step the trustees took — asking county commissioners for a joint hearing — but it does not show a final county decision.