City of Petal moves forward with annexation plans

PETAL, Miss. - The city of Petal is moving right along with their annexation plans.

Officials held its Board meeting at the Petal Civic Center on Tuesday to make room for citizens opposing the annexation. The city wants to annex about 9 square miles, which includes 710 residents.

Mayor Hal Marx said he was surprised their was not a lot of citizens against the annexation.

Marx said, "I hope people realize that this is something that is necessary for Petal." He said annexation will not affect the residents' taxes, which most feared during the meeting.

"I think when people realize that their taxes are not going to double or triple, that their fire rating insurance will go down, that they will have a lot of city services and protection for their property value" said Marx.

The city's attorney will file the action in chancery court and members of the community will have 40 days to appeal the opposition.