Magnolia Mayor Todd Kana said that City Council is supportive of growth and plans are in the works to possibly expand the city limits and its population.

At a Magnolia Rotary Club meeting on Jan. 18, Kana addressed the city deficit, growth and annexation. Club members had many questions about possible annexation.

Kana stated that City Council has been in favor of growth for three years now but no action has been made. The goal, he said, is to develop annexation plans.

“We’re in such beginning stages,” he said. “The only plan is to make a plan.”

Kana explained that one of the easiest routes is to annex commercial properties and by doing so, collect sales tax. In exchange, the commercial properties would benefit from the city’s water, sewer and police department services.

“The ultimate goal is to target current and future commercial property,” he said.

Kana said another “path of least resistance” would include annexing vacant land.

In addition, annexing residential property may be part of the process and Kana stated that residents need to be educated on the benefits of being part of the city and city services that they receive.

“We need to make sure they (residents) understand it’s not a hostile takeover,” Kana said.

The current tax rate in Magnolia is 49 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

“The tax is small, in my opinion,” Kana said.

The most recent city population is listed as 1,111 and the city runs under General Law. If the city limits reach 5,000 residents then it will become a Home Rural City and be able to write its own charter. The idea behind annexation is to eventually increase the size of the city and its population.

According to Kana, the steps to annex areas have not been clearly presented to city council and how to approach possible annexation and legality are being researched.

However, Kana said Magnolia cannot become stagant.

“We’ve gone way too long of not taking any steps,” Kana said. “We have to do what’s best for the city and community.”

If the process is properly handled, Magnolia would be able to increase services at a lower cost per household, according to Kana.

He stated that the city needs to pursue annexation, but also would have to be careful with the speed of action in order not to be intrusive.

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