Monterey Aldermen tabled a decision to ask the Legislature to consider changes to the annexation process.
The proposal would allow annexation if two-thirds of the property owners in the proposed area provided written consent without holding a referendum. Mayor Alex Garcia said the change would reduce the time it takes when an area is mostly for annexation.
“It is my understanding that it would go to a referendum, and it would have to go to a vote,” Garcia said. “But you know, you are only gonna have a vote when you have a ballot at time of election, cause if not, it is going to cost too much money. So I think they are trying to speed that process up.”
Aldermen questioned which criteria had to be met for annexation as part of the changes. With many questions left unanswered, Alderman Bill Wiggins said he was not ready to vote on the resolution.
“Mayor, I’m not sure,” Wiggins said. “I’m not ready to vote on this and feel comfortable about my vote, whether yay or nay.”
Garcia said though the decision was up to the Aldermen, he was not for supporting the change.
“I mean, I don’t have a problem with the law,” Garcia said. “If a citizen doesn’t want to be annexed, I don’t think they should. I think there is a lot of benefits to being annexed, but I don’t think that it needs to be a faster process.”
The city of Cookeville has already passed a similar resolution supporting the change to the annexation process.
In other business, the board approved to road closures for Monterey High School’s Project Graduation road race in April. The board also approved donating $1,000 to the program.
The city approved a resolution to support the restoration to return the percentage of the single article cap sales tax to local governments. Garcia said the funds could help a small town like Monterey.
The aldermen approved adding a new rate to the current insurance plan. Alderman Jamie Phillipps said
The aldermen approved taking over ownership of the train car at the Depot Museum. Garcia said taking over ownership would save Depot Society insurance costs and not cost the city anything. Garcia said a contract will be signed, and the Depot Society will still be responsible for the train car and the upkeep.
The aldermen tabled the third reading of an ordinance to rezone Hope In Christ property until the January meeting.
The board approved an ordinance to change ticket fees.
The board approved adjusting the amount charged to employees who have an insurance policy through the city. The change fixes a discrepancy where employees were paying for child or family coverage. The previous rate was around 17 percent and will now be dropped to 11 percent.
The board approved to repair a boom lift and surplus a backhoe for the city’s garage. Garcia said the cost to repair the backhoe is just as much that it is worth.