Water and sewer issues spur talk of annexation

Mesa del Sol group only gathering information at this point

The main reason the Mesa del Sol Property Owners Association is exploring annexation is due to issues with the current sewer and water services provider, according to the association board president.

The subdivision, which is located on North Frontage Road between Fortuna Road and Foothills Boulevards, is currently under the jurisdiction of Yuma County.

During the Wednesday City Council meeting, Angie Mitchell, the association’s board president, explained why the board had submitted a formal letter petitioning the city for annexation. She also clarified

that the proper name of the group is a property owners association, not a homeowners association, as stated in the meeting agenda.

She reiterated what a letter to the city dated Nov. 19 and signed by Mitchell stated; the association board would like to petition the city for annexation because of dissatisfaction with Far West Water and Sewer, which provides services to Mesa del Sol and the Foothills/Fortuna area.

“During the last open meeting to the general public, several issues arose in conjunction with Far West Water and other service issues. City annexation was discussed as a solution to some of these issues,” the letter states.

City spokesman Dave Nash told the Yuma Sun that the city has been looking into buying Far West in case the residents of Mesa del Sol go through the annexation process.

During the meeting, Mitchell noted that at this point the group is only exploring the option and gathering information, such as the cost and benefits and the geographic area that would be annexed should residents move forward with the petition.

The letter notes that the board “is not endorsing nor opposing the annexation, but is petitioning on behalf of the residents of Mesa del Sol.” It further states that the board is “petitioning for annexation for the general membership to decide on their own and what’s best for their individual situation ... Each and every Mesa del Sol resident will need to decide for themselves on the benefits and disadvantages of annexation.”

Mitchell told the council that the board saw annexation as an opportunity to receive better benefits and perhaps some cost savings, although they understand taxes would increase but having city fire and police services would be a positive for all residents.

Mayor Doug Nicholls noted that even if annexation served as a “walk around” Far West, as Mitchell called it earlier, it wouldn’t eliminate Far West as a separate entity.

Councilman Mike Shelton asked Mitchell if the board had done any outreach to see how residents feel about annexation. Mitchell said the board had not done so “officially” although it’s been widely discussed on the social media site Nextdoor. The plan is to gather all the necessary information and then “unveil” the possibility to residents during the February annual meeting, she added.

During Call to the Public, Mesa del Sol resident Jeff Weeks pointed to the lack of outreach, noting that he first read about the annexation petition in the Yuma Sun. He said his first instinct is to oppose annexation “in principle” because many of those who live in the Foothills moved there “for a reason.”

One of his concerns, Weeks added, is that although residents wouldn’t have to buy Rural/Metro fire insurance, the nearest city fire station is on Araby Road and the city might have to build a new fire station closer to Mesa del Sol.

As for Far West, Weeks said, increased tax revenues wouldn’t be enough to cover what’s wrong with the company. It would probably take a bond or “other financial vehicle” to fix the problems.

“From where I’m standing, I don’t see how those numbers stand up,” Weeks said.

“I’m not saying no, but I would have to have a lot more information to support that,” he added.

City Administrator Greg Wilkinson said the city is preparing a pamphlet to explain the process of annexation and how it would affect residents. Once ready, it will be distributed to Mesa del Sol residents.

“It’s a good basis for people to start investigating,” Nicholls said.

Annexation is the process by which a city assumes jurisdiction over unincorporated territory adjacent to its boundaries, according to the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.

If Mesa del Sol residents are successful in their annexation bid, the subdivision would come under city jurisdiction, which would include receiving water/ sewer, police and fire services as well as having to pay city property taxes.

Wilkinson confirmed that the annexation in Yuma requires the consent of the owners of at least one-half of the dollar value of the real and personal property and one-half plus one of the property owners in the territory to be annexed as shown by the last assessment. In addition, the consent of the council is required.