State, Local Leaders Square Off Over Annexation

Memphis, Tn - Local leaders are furious that Tennessee lawmakers are trying to regulate land that they have already claimed a stake in. It involves unincorporated land in East Shelby County.

Memphis staked claim to "unincorporated Fisherville" and surrounding areas in a 1998 agreement with county and suburban mayors, divvying up the unincorporated areas amongst themselves.

"It was agreed to. I didn't say a word when Collierville annexed, when Bartlett annexed, because we had an agreement, it was none of my business. I wasn't seeking to change a legal agreement we entered in to," said Memphis Mayor A C Wharton.

But Monday, some Collierville, Germantown and Bartlett lawmakers filed legislation in Nashville, directly involving that unincorporated land.

One bill would give it to the county. A second bill would require a vote by people who live in the unincorporated area to approve an annexation into a specific city or town.

Wharton says his administration hasn't even talked about annexing that area anytime soon. He says he'd be open to negotiations involving the land.

"But to simply say we don't like what we think is going to happen, so we'll change the law, is what troubles me," he said.

The mayor says the city already invested in an $80-million city sewer system that is expected to be done this summer and the city bought land for a new fire department.

"I'm disappointed and concerned and I think all of Memphis ought to be concerned," said City Councilman Harold Collins.

Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris says the bills were proposed after petitions and emails from folks in the unincorporated area, concerned about annexation.

People in the unincorporated Fisherville area, who we spoke with, say they just want to vote on their future.

But, many local leaders are irate that state lawmakers would get involved in a local issue.

Collins says state lawmakers are trying to control Memphis, "It's not about whether or not the city will or will not annex the area, it's about giving the city the opportunity to decide for itself what it wants to do or needs to do…I think all of Memphis should be concerned, business community, the philanthropic community should be concerned. This is an attack on all of our assets. What's next? Are they going to regulate the FedExForum?"

Local leaders are also upset that lawmakers didn't make a courtesy call to the Mayor, giving him a heads up about the issue, before introducing the bills.