Monona discusses annexation possibilities

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

For several months, the Monona Council has familiarized itself with the process of land annexation, or expanding its municipal boundaries into areas not currently within the city. As the city looks ahead to phase II of its sanitary sewer project, City Administrator Dan Canton said Monona wants to know if its planned upgrades will work for possible future development. While areas to the west of town, as well as the area where the Birdnow Dealership is located and across the highway where Kwik Star and TJ’s Pizza reside, have been targeted for potential annexation, the council agreed Monday night not to move forward until gather more information and consulting with the sewer project engineer.

Monona Township resident Allan Troester was on-hand at the meeting, and raised concerns about the impact of annexation, fearing it was simply to raise revenue.

“Once that land is gone, you can’t get it back,” Troester said. “I’m concerned about the effect on the township.”

“We’re looking to the future,” responded councilman Dan Havlicek. “We want to expand the town for new business or housing.”

“We’re not saying we’re going to develop it, we just want it to be available,” added councilman John Elledge, who noted that, despite Monona having the second largest population in Clayton County, its footprint is just the sixth largest.

Elledge said he understands not everyone will favor annexation, but noted that higher property values, as well as connection to city sewer and water, will be benefits.

“We want to see the furtherment of the community, to see it grow,” he said. “We’ll try to do that in the most fair way possible.”