Opinion ID: 2091272
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The Preference for Voluntary Annexation and the Presumption of Validity for Voluntary Annexations Under Iowa Code Chapter 368.

Text: In 1991 the Iowa Legislature amended chapter 368 by establishing a preference for voluntary proceedings when both a voluntary and involuntary proceeding coexist. See Iowa Code § 368.7(4). The legislature also added language to the statute that established a presumption of validity for voluntary proceedings. See Iowa Code § 368.6. The presumption of validity of voluntary annexations states: It is the intent of the general assembly to provide an annexation approval procedure which gives due consideration to the wishes of the residents of territory to be annexed, and to the interests of the residents of all territories affected by an annexation. The general assembly presumes that a voluntary annexation of territory more closely reflects the wishes of the residents of territory to be annexed, and, therefore, intends that the annexation approval procedure include a presumption of validity for voluntary annexation approval. Iowa Code § 368.6 (emphasis added). Hiawatha claims the board overstated, overemphasized and erroneously relied upon the preference accorded to voluntary annexation requests under chapter 368 and failed to fully consider the merits of the application. This argument is based on the fact the board relied largely on the best interests of the territory to be annexed without due consideration of the best interests of others, including Hiawatha. For the reasons previously discussed, the main consideration under section 368.7(4) is the best interests of the residents of the urbanized area, not of the area in general. The best interests of residents of adjoining areas, such as Hiawatha, are not determinative. The board properly applied the procedural and substantive requirements of section 368.7(4) and did not give undue weight to the statutory preference for voluntary proceedings. Further, the board rendered its decision without any expressed reliance on the presumption of validity under Iowa Code section 368.6, so we reject Hiawatha's argument that the presumption was improperly applied. We reject Hiawatha's argument that the board misapplied the presumption of section 368.6 or the preference for voluntary annexations under section 368.7(4).