Citizens respond to annex in Sullivan

SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTHI) - One Wabash Valley city's plan to annex nearby land is met with resistance in court. The city of Sullivan annexed portions of the county that run out to the highway in January. But, folks in that area aren't too pleased with the new taxes they'll pay and are fighting back.
    
About a mile down Section Street off Route 41, a sign welcomes you to Sullivan. Its right there that the city limits are set.
    
But, in January of this year the city made plans to annex the land from that sign back to Route 41; and subsequently the homes and businesses on that area.

"Any time an annexation happens there is concern on the increase in the tax rate,” Jeff Boyll, the attorney for the annexed business and homeowners said.
    
Boyll represents those companies and homeowners in the annexed area, but specifically the company North American Latex.
    
Last week they fought back in court.

"A remonstrance is the way that is established by statute to oppose that proposed annexation,” Boyll explained.
    
In order to file the papers, Boyll and his clients had to prove the annexation was opposed by 65% of the homeowners in the affected area; which he says they did with a petition.
    
On the other side of this story is the Sullivan mayor Clint Lamb. Lamb has pushed for the annexation for several years to grow the city. His claim is that those businesses and homeowners benefit from the city services without paying the taxes.

"We knew when we presented annexation to the city of Sullivan, back in January, we prepared for a remonstrance before we prepared for anything else in the process,” Lamb said.
   
In spite of the petitions and legal papers in front of him, Lamb stands by his plan.

"You can't convince me that Sullivan Heights is not in the city of Sullivan.,” Lamb said adamantly.  “That Sullivan Wal-Mart, that Sullivan Automotive Group that Sullivan McDonalds, that Sullivan Burger King is not in the city of Sullivan"
    
A difficult decision for both the city and its potential citizens that now rests in the courtroom