Sullivan mayor talks annexation

SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTHI) - The city of Sullivan could soon double in size, if the mayor’s Annexation Fiscal Plan passes. 

Clint Lamb, Mayor of Sullivan is looking to expand city limits, in hopes of taking newly generated tax paying dollars to better the city.

Lamb says the city is in need of change.

"There’s definitely a need for annexation. The city of Sullivan has not grown since 1959, that's a long time without any growth, without any expansion,” said Lamb.

Mayor Lamb is proposing to stretch the city of Sullivan, basically doubling the size.

That means some residents who live outside city limits would be considered part of the city and pay city taxes.

The expansion would include businesses that sit along Highway-41 and out past the Sullivan County Community Hospital.

"We can annex these areas and take that money and put it into a slush fund and do basically whatever with it. But that's not the case here in Sullivan, we’ve made a pledge and we have committed to five priority projects here in Sullivan,” said Lamb.

Lamb says he's questioned the growth of new businesses in the past.

Lamb says, “Where they going to go, the city of Sullivan is land locked, as you can see by the map. If a corporation wanted to come to Sullivan, where are we going to put them, where can the city be the leader in economic development here in the county?"

But with the new city expansion Lamb says the city will see more money which could mean more growth.

On Tuesday, a public meeting will be held for community members to share their feelings on the annexation.

The city council will vote on the annexation plan November 13th at 7:00 p.m.

If the city council passes the annexation, then those affected by the city limit change would not have to pay taxes until March of 2014.