Video: Columbus Annexation Foes Withdraw

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — Columbus’ three-year-old effort to expand its borders could be approved as early as next week.

The major opponents to the city’s plans to add three square miles on the east, south and west have withdrawn their objections. According to court records, that leaves no formal opposition to the plan.

Chancery Court Judge Kenneth Burns has set aside Monday and Tuesday to hear the city’s presentation and in case any property owners do want to object. If not, he could sign an order with findings in favor of the annexation at the end of those hearings.

The largest areas are along Lehmberg Road and Highway 12 on the city’s eastern edge. The areas include 44 businesses and about 1,500 people.

City leaders have said the city needs the additional population and tax revenue and can provide services to the areas at little cost to existing taxpayers. They say property owners will benefit from dramatically lower property insurance premiums and improved fire protection.

The city council looked a various annexation options, including much larger areas to the east, north and west for five years prior to finally approving the scaled down plan in early 2011.