LAPEL — The Lapel Town Council had few answers to the financial questions being raised by opponents of the planned annexation to County Road 700 South.
During a public hearing Thursday on the proposed annexation, council members were unable to provide information about the fiscal impact on residents in the impacted area.
Residents were told that copies of the financial plan would be available to the public on Monday at the Lapel Town Hall.
Joel Sandifur, who lives in the proposed annexation area, said he wanted to see the fiscal plan.
Council President Gary Shuck said the fiscal plan was presented in May and can be reviewed at the town hall.
Tim Munson, a council member, said he wasn’t 100 percent prepared for the meeting.
“We have jobs like everyone else,” he said. “We will be for the next meeting.”
Munson did say with the state-imposed property tax caps, more property owners in the area wouldn’t see an increase in taxes.
“For those that do see a tax increase, it will be minimal,” he said.
Shuck said there are two more public hearings scheduled for Aug. 7 and Sept. 11.
Munson said the town hopes to have the annexation process completed by Dec. 12.
Most of the people that spoke were opposed to the annexation, voicing concerns over zoning changes and the cost of connecting to town utilities, while others viewed annexation as inevitable.
“This is the lesser of two evils,” James Richie said. “We’re being squeezed by Ingalls, Anderson and Noblesville.
“We’re not living in Hard Scrabble anymore,” he said, referring to the popular name attached to the intersection of Ind. 13 and 38. “It’s Exit 214.”
Richie said if Lapel annexes the property there won’t be a change in the zoning.
“We do have a choice,” he said of the voluntary annexation effort. “There are a lot of unknowns.”
Shuck said the public hearing was to get comments on whether or not people were supportive of the annexation proposal.
“If you’re not prepared to discuss the financial plan, how can we comment?” Sandifur said.
The proposed annexation includes 5,752 acres and extends along the town limit south to County Road 700 South. Several times board members said if Lapel doesn’t annex the area, either Anderson, Pendleton or Ingalls will.
Pam Wells, who lives along County Road 1000 West, asked what benefits would be provided to property owners in the proposed annexation area.
“You’re not in Anderson,” Shuck said. “You will have a say in how the area develops. Exit 214 is where the next development from Indianapolis will be.
“You’re going to be annexed by someone,” he added. “Annexation is going to come.”
Munson said 54 percent of the property owners in the proposed annexation area approached the town of Lapel.
“Since they came to us we decided to move forward,” he said. “We will not put the current town in financial jeopardy. We need to determine is this is a benefit for Lapel. This is a work in progress.”