Gentry looking at annexation

Map from Benton County website Discussion is focused toward annexing land in the southern portion of the city to square up some boundaries and take in the Flint Creek Nature Area owned by the city.
Map from Benton County website Discussion is focused toward annexing land in the southern portion of the city to square up some boundaries and take in the Flint Creek Nature Area owned by the city.

GENTRY -- Mayor Kevin Johnston announced at Gentry's council meeting on May 5 that the city is looking at possibly seeking to annex some portions of land to even up the city's borders.

According to Johnston, the city would like to take in portions of land on the south edge of the city, including the city-owned land which is the site of the Flint Creek Nature Area, to even up the city's borders.

He said, on Thursday, the city was looking at a number of options to take in land which is surrounded on several sides by the city. He said the city would have to do some additional research to make sure the areas it wants to annex would not make up more than 10 percent of the city's current land area -- in which case, it might seek to take in part of the land this year and additional areas in the future.

Johnston said, as it is now, police have to drive out of the city through unincorporated areas to reach other portions of the incorporated city.

The city hopes to bring an ordinance proposal to the next regular council meeting to make it possible for the city to pass the ordinance on three readings in time for the annexation proposal to be put before the voters of Gentry and the proposed annexation area in conjunction with the Nov. 4 general election.

General News on 05/14/2014