Annexation scaled back significantly

The scope of a proposed plan for annexing homes in outlying areas into the city of Rector has been significantly narrowed following a city committee meeting held Monday night.

The new proposal, as indicated by the committee, includes only those residences which are already receiving some of the services offered by the city, as well as others which are located near the town and wish to voluntarily be included within the city limits.

In recent months, the city council requested the formation of the committee on annexation to determine the most viable proposal to help maintain the city's current population, as well as establish the potential for growth.

In their initial study, the committee examined the possibility of including residences which fall along major arteries within a two-and-a-half mile radius of the existing city limits. The study is continuing, with other details to be considered by the committee and council in upcoming meetings.

"The purpose of the Rector committee on annexation has been to study options to help Rector and maintain Rector as a viable community," committee chairman David Freeman said in a statement issued following Monday's meeting. "The thinking of the committee, at this point, is to propose an annexation ordinance including only those residences which are already receiving some from of city services, and others who are contiguous to the current city limits and want to be included in the growth of the City of Rector.

"This annexation proposal is intended to increase the population of Rector while maintaining as much of the traditional rural use of the land as possible. Our goal is to propose an ordinance at the July 7 city council meeting. This ordinance would be a first step toward a vote in the November general election. Like many in our community, we continue to be proud of Rector and welcome all to officially join the city of Rector."

The proposed ordinance must be heard by the council on three separate occasions before it can be voted upon. There will likely be a special meeting for the third reading, as the time frame would not allow for its third appearance to be held at the regularly-scheduled September meeting. The next Rector City Council meeting will be held at the city courtroom at 6 p.m. Monday, July 7.