Genoans back off annexation

Acknowledging they had little to offer residents living outside the town boundaries, Genoa Town Board members voted Tuesday to indefinitely table an effort to expand.

"This is a poor time to raise taxes," said board member Karen Holmes. "I'm opposed to it."

She pointed out that rather than petitioning for annexation, residents of Centennial Drive signed a petition opposing it.

"We don't have anything to offer people," said member Jenn King. "I just don't think it's the right time."

Board member Dave Whitgob said that if the town could provide additional services, that would be different.

"It appears the increased taxes would just help the town," he said. "While that's a noble cause, it's also a hard sell. The town has mended a lot of fences, and I don't think we want to see that disrupted at this point."

Board member Greg Pace, who presented the proposal in September, said the town needs to find a way to support itself besides relying on events.

"The town has a unique approach to funding itself," he said. "We felt like we needed to explore some other means besides event funding to support the town."

Resident John Holmes said he felt that while there is some decline in Candy Dance, it still does well enough to support the town.

"Where's the urgency?" he asked. "I don't see the urgency in creating problems with our neighbors. I like Genoa's boundaries where they are."

Board chairman Brian Williams said he felt the proposal agitated the town's neighbors without providing much benefit.

"It stirred up a lot of bad blood," he said. "A lot of people are against it."

Board members voted to desist from any further exploration of annexation until someone makes a business case for it or there's a compelling financial need for the town to do it.

The issue of expanding the town boundaries to the surrounding countryside has come up before, always to substantial opposition from residents who would be annexed.

The town collects $26,500 in property tax from its residents. The vast majority of its funding comes from the annual Candy Dance fundraiser, with additional funding coming from other events and rental of town buildings, such as the hall and the church.

Concerns about the decline of Candy Dance revenues have led to a variety of plans for bolstering the town's revenue, including the Genoa Cowboy & Music Festival held in spring.