Annexation issue appears before council

A good illustration of McCook's growth appeared on the picture page telling the story of one of McCook's first lifeguards, Mary Schaaf Forgue. One of the photos, taken in the late 1930s, shows the swimming pool in the foreground, with not a single building visible in the open prairie to the northwest.

Now, that area, known as "The Reservation," is filled with homes.

Over the years, similar developments have taken place in all directions as McCook has grown to meet the changing residential desires of its residential and commercial population.

And as the city has grown outward, the boundary lines have changed through a series of annexations. Now, another one is being considered. At tonight's City Council meeting, the town's governing board will review a proposal to annex 1,123 acres of land which connects with the city's current boundary lines.

As is always the case, there are both advantages and disadvantages for the city and the businesses and individuals who own land in the proposed annexation area.

The advantage, for the city, is increased valuation and population, while the disadvantage is that it will cost to extend city services to the area.

Likewise, annexation has pluses and minuses for property owners. One of the big advantages will be water rates, which will drop as adjoining properties are currently assessed one and a half times the city rate. The annexed properties will also receive other city services, but there will be a cost through payment of the city tax.

The areas being considered for annexation are the area north of town where the Work Ethic Camp is located, two areas near the Heritage Hills golf course, the area to the north of Q Street between West Third and and Norris, Barnett Park, two areas west of the McCook Airport, the Ravenswood Road area and the Henton Addition on the northwest edge of McCook. All told, it is estimated that the annexed areas would increase McCook's population by 125 to 150 people.

To begin consideration of the issue, the council will review a report on the proposed annexation at its regular meeting Sept. 2, at 7:30 p.m. During the meeting, council members will have the opportunity to adopt resolutions on each of the seven areas proposed for annexation.

All concerned -- most especially the citizens in the proposed annexation areas and the members of the council -- need to give the proposal their careful consideration. There are pros and cons on both sides of the annexation question, but the important thing is that the issue be worked out with the best future interests of the citizens and community in mind.