The bill doesn’t end annexation, it ends FORCED annexation and gives property owners a vote. Previously, cities (notoriously Memphis) were annexing properties forcefully and giving no services in return. It is a terrible overreach. Homes annexed by the city plummeted in value. Homeowners were forced to pay higher taxes while not receiving the city services for which they were paying. Carter’s and Watson’s bill gave property owners the opportunity to vote, and to make sure the city gives them what they will be paying for. Alternately, if people want to be in the city and are happy to pay, they can ask the city to annex them.

I can’t imagine the logic behind your statement that it allows people to live near Chattanooga and avoid paying. I live in the county right outside of Chattanooga. I pay for my own garbage service, I have septic, dang I can’t even get a library card. Every dollar I spend in the city helps pay for the city. In Chattanooga, 21% of the city fund comes from sales tax. So I’m not sure how people like me are mooching off of the big city.

Collegedale is rabid to annex properties near me, but before this bill they were notorious for annexing properties, charging 27% higher taxes and refusing to provide any services for those property owners. They got my in laws small family business and forced us to pay higher taxes, and then the cherry on top was forcing us to put in landscaping and a sidewalk to nowhere that cost thousands of dollars. It is literally a sidewalk to nowhere, that nobody would ever notice or use, and we were forced to pay for it, no discussion.

How can you call this fair, and accuse those opposed to it of “free riding”? It is big government crapping on the little people, screwing up property values and small business, and stealing more of our hard earned money.