County Holds Meeting for Citizens of both Area's to Consider Annexing South Willard into Willard City
Box Elder County Commissioner, Ryan Tingey, has led a meeting to consider the possibilities for the annexation of South Willard into Willard City. The May 7th, 2013 meeting was held by the County to consider questions brought up by the residents. South Willard resident, Ben Karlinsey, believes the idea at least partly originated with the owners of the Elk Farm in South Willard as they plan to develop the farm into residential property and want to use and connect to utilities to be provided by government entities such as Willard City.
Willard City administrator, Bryce Wheelright, says that Willard City is proceeding with caution since the financial impact to Willard is unknown at the present time. Because there were so many questions from residents, Box Elder County had planned to have another meeting in June, but apparently there were enough unanswered questions that the meeting will likely not happen until July according to Wheelright. At that time the meeting time and location will be posted on-line and at various locations. Wheelwright says if it is evident that there is enough interest in the combination of the two areas, the process will continue. If not, then likely it will stop there.
Wheelright says that as far as he understands, the State process is quite involved. Boundaries of such areas as would be included cannot include islands of unincorporated land. A certain super majority percentage of both the land area and the population of the S. Willard area to be included would need to vote in the affirmative. That would likely happen after a petition from residents of S. Willard to Willard City, and scheduled hearings by Willard.
