Eight-year annexation battle over for Boonville; will expand by 1,165 acres

The Indiana Supreme Court denied to hear the Boonville annexation case. That decision means the Indiana Court of Appeals' ruling in favor of the Warrick County city in August will be upheld.

The annexed area is mostly land north of Indiana 62, including the Boonville Walmart, to Millersburg Road. It would extend from the city's current west border to Baker Road, as well.

"I'm thrilled," said Mark Phillips, Boonville's attorney. "We're finally done."

Phillips said from his understanding, the remonstrators have no more appeals to go through, and the annexation is final. In 30 days, the city can start the process of providing services to the annexed area, Phillips said.

A message for the remonstrators' attorney, Arend Abel, wasn't immediately returned Friday morning.

Special Judge Brent Almon, a Superior Court judge in Posey County, presided over a bench trial in January 2015 and ruled in favor of Boonville. The remonstrators against the annexation filed an appeal in March 2015. Remonstrators argued that Boonville didn't show that the annexation territory was both "needed" and "can be used" for Boonville's development "in the reasonably near future."

During the trial, former Mayor Pam Hendrickson said the annexation was needed to help the city grow.

"While there is no evidence of ongoing, confirmed projects in the annexation territory, Boonville is not required to make such a showing. It has offered evidence establishing a need for the annexation territory, as well as its outlined hopes for development, including business, transportation, and sewer services, in that area. This evidence is sufficient to show that the annexation territory is needed and can be used by Boonville in the reasonably near future," according to the Court of Appeals opinion.

Phillips said he spoke to both current Boonville Mayor Charlie Wyatt and former Boonville Mayor Pam Hendrickson.

"(Hendrickson) was steadfast in her belief in the annexation," Phillips said. "She supported Charlie (Wyatt) to continue the good work she did."

Phillips said he believes the city will be able to start collecting taxes for 2017 with it payable in 2018.