Opinion ID: 1104071
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Impact or Other Impact on residents and Property Owners.

Text: ś 125. The chancellor held: With the exception of the Undeveloped Neal Parcel, the property owners will receive value upon annexation. This is particularly true of the Winona Elevator Property. Upon annexation the City proposes a substantial expenditure to provide municipal utility services to this property. These improvements will include upgrading the water supply to afford municipal level fire protection. Additionally the Winona Elevator Parcel will receive all other municipal services. The City of Winona has demonstrated through plans and testimony, that all areas, except the Undeveloped Neal Parcel, will receive something of value in return for the taxes to be collected. ś 126. The chancellor held that the Winona Elevator Property will receive an upgrade in the water supply to afford municipal level fire protection and it will receive all other municipal services. There was evidence that the Winona Elevator Property is already provided with adequate services. ś 127. The chancellor evaluated this factor the same as he evaluated the Municipal Services factor-strictly on municipal services. I find this is giving double weight to municipal services; however, in the case sub judice it makes little difference because [w]hen current services are adequate, the fact that annexation may enhance municipal services should not be given much relevance.... City of Jackson, 691 So.2d at 984. ś 128. Therefore, I believe the chancellor erred in finding this factor favors annexation, when the Winona Elevator property is already provided with adequate services.