Pine Knoll, Country Club Estates discussed for city annexation

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Two subdivisions outside city limits could become a part of Manning later this year.

Manning City Council held a workshop Feb. 20 to discuss the possible annexation of Pine Knoll and Country Club Estates, and according to Administration A. Scott Tanner, residents from both subdivisions have asked the city for the measure.

“Basically, at the meeting the other night, we presented the methods of annexation to council members and told them what we would need to do to get this accomplished, if that’s the way they want to go,” Tanner said.

He said there are three different methods of annexation:

All property owners – 100 percent – sign a petition asking to be annexed, after which council members accept the petition and pass an ordinance notifying the state Secretary of State and the Department of Transportation and Public Safety. With all homeowners on board, no public hearing is necessary.

Three-quarters of property owners owning at least 75 percent of the assessed property value petition council members, who then hold hearings, identify services to be assumed, and determine tax revenues and the burdens and benefits of annexation.

One-quarter of property owners known as “qualified electors” present a petition, after which the Clarendon County Election Commission conducts an election and certifies results.

“In the next month, I will be getting together some figures for council members and we will then schedule another open workshop,” Tanner said. “From there, depending on how aggressively tax members want to move forward, that will depend on how quickly this moves.”

Thus far, council members have only directed Tanner to “put some numbers together” for another workshop, he said. Council recently annexed two parcels of property close to the old Walmart at an apartment complex, Tanner added.

Pine Knoll has been looked at before for annexation.

“That was, of course, before I was here, and I’m sure how long ago that was, or exactly what happened or how far that go,” Tanner said. “I do know that there are some new property owners there who were asking about annexation.”

He said annexing the properties would, obviously, increase the city’s tax base and, therefore, its overall annual revenue.

“As far as the citizens go, it provides local police and fire protection, which typically provides better homeowners insurance premiums,” Tanner said. “They would get that benefit. At the same time, there would be a tax difference. They would pay county and city taxes.”

“There are some pluses and minuses,” Tanner said.