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Mayor Addresses Annexation Concerns, Proposes Fiscal Plan

Courtesy/City of Fort Wayne

Mayor Tom Henry announced his fiscal plan for the proposed annexation of 23 square miles in northern Allen County in a press conference Friday. But much of the conference was spent addressing residents’ concerns about the proposal.

Henry says he’s heard a lot of opposition.

“There’s a lot of speculation out there and rumors and innuendos, and that’s not fair,” Henry said. “That’s not fair to the city of Fort Wayne, which right now incorporates 250,000 people represented by the current council members. Those people want to know too what’s going on.”

The city projects three in four residents in the annexed region would see a rise in property taxes. But a spokesman for the city says that’s fewer than in previous annexations.

Henry also says the annexation could bring benefits to residents like lower rates for garbage, water and sewer services.

A lawyer for the city also addressed questions regarding Fort Wayne’s noise ordinance and its laws banning shooting and open burning. She says the city could make exemptions for those residents concerned with the restrictions.

The fiscal plan includes more details about how much the annexation would cost the city and how money would be allocated. It will be presented to City Council on Tuesday for approval.

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