Saffo said the purpose of annexation is to both extend city services to urban areas in the unincorporated parts of the county contiguous to city limits and to recoup costs incurred by the general public using city facilities, such as roads and parks.
Dallas Woodhouse, North Carolina state director for the conservative group Americans for Prosperity, said his organization would urge state lawmakers to pass legislation to stop new annexations from taking effect.
Woodhouse said by fighting the new laws, Wilmington is “absolutely playing with fire here.” He said he believes it’s “disappointing” when local elected officials aren’t willing to accept legislation debated and approved by state lawmakers.
“The bottom line is the legislature has the final say on municipal boundaries, and (the cities) need to remember that, in my opinion,” Woodhouse said.
The state Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the judge’s ruling, spokeswoman Noelle Talley wrote in an email.
“We’re not going to comment at this point since the ruling could be appealed,” she wrote.
By Patrick Gannon
Staff writer Shelby Sebens contributed to this report.
(StarNewsOnline.com)
Mar 27, 2012
