Residents hire attorney over city annexation

At the regular Bonners Ferry City Council meeting Tuesday, council members voted three to one in favor of the annex of 77 parcels of property into the city limits.

This came after a special council public hearing on Monday to hear concerns of the public.

According to city council, the subject 77 parcels currently receive some city services but don't pay city taxes.

As the Tuesday meeting closed, attorney Fonda Jovek of the Payne and Hamlin Law Firm, announced she would be representing land owners who are in opposition to the annexation and they will be exercising their appeal rights.

Approximately 73  people have signed a petition against the annexation. 

The properties are adjacent to the existing city municipal boundaries and are within its area of impact.

Two of these parcels are on the south hill, one at the end of Buffalo St. and the other a city parcel next to the city maintenance yard.  The other 75 parcels are south of the existing city limits.

City documents state the annexation would provide police and fire protection, and garbage removal, but would require new fees.

A list of these parcels are available at Bonners Ferry City Hall or on the city’s web site http://bonnersferry.id.gov/.