We the undersigned are opposed to the City of Middleton’s proposed expansion of its area of impact and the annexation strategies within the recently adopted Middleton Comprehensive Plan November 14-15, 2023.

The rights of county residents are being threatened by this proposed expansion.  It will impose significant and inequitable financial burdens and erase the longstanding rural character of our community.  This proposed expansion is in direct conflict with Canyon County's already approved and ratified comprehensive plan.

The request to extend Middleton’s impact area opens the door to involuntary annexation of properties and the tax revenues would exceed the cost of services, thus unfairly burdening homeowners.  Idaho Code 631311 governs utility rate structure and prohibits disproportionate charges unrelated to actual service use.  The stated intention is to obtain tax revenue that is greater than the cost of providing services.

The City of Middleton is seeking to expand to increase its tax base, including having rural residential properties face sewer hook ups to offset the $78 million in debt the city has incurred for the expansion of sewer infrastructure.  That annexation is a way for the city to support its burgeoning financial obligations without regard to the population living in these rural areas.  

According to page 19 of the Comprehensive Plan, any property annexed into the City of Middleton can anticipate a $475 per $100,000 tax increase with little or no return.  This is a significant hardship.  Additionally, the existing infrastructure cannot support such expansion.  

According to Idaho Code 67-6509  of the Land Use Planning Act and Idaho Code 50-222 of the Annexation Authority, any annexation must be consistent with orderly growth, efficient service delivery, and protection of existing property rights.  The growth of the area has been anything but consistent, and this proposal is, in my opinion, solely aimed at addressing Middleton’s growing debt at the expense of these provisions.

Our community deserves the kind of growth that is balanced between the needs of all concerned and protects the existing residents who live in the county outside of any city boundaries.  This proposal does neither.  Please consider voting against this plan.