City of Aurora Considering Annexation in Five General Areas

The city is in the early study phase.

(Aurora, Ind.) – The City of Aurora is in the early study phase of a potential annexation plan.

Annexation is the legal process by which municipalities add land to their boundaries and expand. Indiana law gives municipal officials the authority to annex property regardless of the preferences of property owners, so long as they follow certain procedures and meet certain conditions.

Mayor Mark Drury tells Eagle Country 99.3 that there are five general areas that are initially being looked at:

• State Road 148 from Briarwood back to the current city line
• U.S. 50 to Randall
• State Road 350 to Wilmington Hills
• Dutch Hollow excluding the large open ag areas
• State Road 56 to the county line

Drury adds that the areas will more than likely be refined as the study moves forward.

The study will provide answers as to the impact for the city and the impacted residents and businesses being considered for annexation. Impact elements of the study not only include utility considerations, but also public services and property tax considerations and implications, according to Mayor Drury.

Potential growth and housing/business development elements are also being taken into consideration. Drury added that potential growth could provide an ability to offer more and better quality of life projects in Aurora.

“When one looks at current patterns such as a decline in population, a decline in school enrollment and other factors such as the loss of two banks within the city, the loss of a school, the loss of our grocery store, the loss of a furniture store, there is cause for concern with the long-term viability of our beloved city,” said Drury.

He specifically mentioned the losses of First Financial Bank, U.S. Bank, St. Mary’s School, Tandy’s IGA, and Gambles.

Drury added that his “grateful for the many wonderful businesses that continue to call Aurora home.”

But he is still left wondering “what more can and should be done to ensure that current and new businesses and residents thrive in Aurora well into the future?”

Drury added that it is the city’s intent to be transparent with potential annexation to gather input from all stakeholders.