Video: City of Columbus Expanding, Annexation Approved Despite Some Objection

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The City of Columbus will soon be expanding. Just last week a judge approved the annexation that will add over 1400 residents and businesses to the City of Columbus.

“For the city to be successful, the Mayor and the Council have to have some type of vision, some type of plan if you want to grow and if you want to be a progressive city,” says Columbus Mayor Robert Smith, who’s in his 2nd full term.

In 2011, Columbus city leaders proposed to expand city limits through annexation. After several hearings, Judge Kenneth Burns approved the expansion last week. Now 1462 residents and 44 businesses will become a part of the city. The move allows Columbus to increase its tax base and attract potential business investors. Still, some residents are not happy about falling under the city’s jurisdiction.

“I’m opposed to the annexation. If they want to take in some of it, they need to take in all of it. I don’t see that they’re going to pick and choose what parts of Lehmberg they want. Now they want to come in. I’ve got livestock back up in there. They haven’t talked to none of the people back up in there. The only thing they want is that tax roll. They want Marvin’s and they want the Nissan Dealership and that’s it,” says Mike Boyle, Lowndes County Resident against the annexation.

Supporters of the annexation say taxes will increase but insurance premiums for new residents will go down. Annexation will become official on September 30th if no appeals are filed. Columbus Mayor Robert Smith wants residents to know that the city leaders are looking forward to serving them.

“I can assure them that the Mayor and the Council will provide them the same services that the other citizens that are already living in the city are provided,” says Smith.

The Mayor says that city ward boundaries will be re-drawn after the annexation. Columbus Light and Water will also begin a 5-year plan to provide new water and sewer service, that could cost nearly seven million dollars.

Mayor Robert Smith also says there will be no additional expenses for Columbus Police and Fire departments. The city already serves much of the annexed area.