FREQUENTLY ASKED ANNEXATION QUESTIONS

We understand that you have questions about the possibility of being annexed.  Here are several we have heard in the past few months.  If you have other questions, please contact the planning department at 928-684-5451 x500.

What does annexation mean? Annexation is a process by which a city or town may assume responsibility for an unincorporated territory adjacent to its boundaries. 

If I am annexed into town of Wickenburg, will I lose my rural quality-of-life?  The major reason the town wants to annex areas surrounding Wickenburg is that annexation is the only way for the town to have control over development and assist citizens who would like to protect the rural and western lifestyle for which the town is known worldwide.  The Town of Wickenburg is in a better position to do this than any of the nearby communities that are aggressively pursuing annexation.  The Town of Wickenburg staff will work with property owners to make sure the rural character is protected after annexation.  The town also works hard to keep our community clean.

If annexation occurs, won’t major development follow? Not necessarily. Major developments will go where property can be purchased.  With modern day technology, it is quite common for major developments to build their own water and sewer service, thereby lessening the need to be within a town limit.  However, in instances where major developments occur in town, Wickenburg will be able to require that they comply with our local goals of maintaining a rural and western lifestyle.

Will I be allowed to keep my horses? Yes. Horses are allowed within the Wickenburg Town limits if you have at least 35,000 square feet of total property (this is 81% of an acre) and 1,200 square feet of corral area per horse.

Will my Property Taxes increase after annexation? Your property taxes will increase slightly, however traditionally Wickenburg has always had a low rate.  The town property tax rate is 0.4772 per $1000 of assessed valuation. This means, for example, that the taxes on a $200,000 piece of property would be $95.44 annually. 

Does annexation mean the town can take over my property? No. The town will have no ownership rights to your property.

Will I still have to pay a Rural Fire District Tax? This tax will be lifted as soon as possible after annexation.

Why would I be interested in Wickenburg police service instead of the County Sheriff’s office? Maricopa County and Yavapai County provide fine law enforcement services, however; there is a limited number of sheriff officers to patrol a very large area.  The nearest Maricopa County Sheriff’s substation is at Bell Road and Grand Avenue in Surprise.  In Yavapai County, it is in Yarnell.  The County’s response time to your calls, in most cases, will be longer than a Wickenburg Police Department response.    All 9-1-1 calls in this area of Maricopa County now go through the Wickenburg Police Department.  So, after an emergency call is received at dispatch, we currently have to turn around and call the County.  This additional step would be eliminated in the annexed areas.  The Wickenburg Police Department is recognized statewide for its excellence.

What county ordinances/uses will be grandfathered with annexation? State law defines which pre-existing, legal, non-conforming uses can continue until the use is changed or expanded.  This use “follows the land” so unless the property is substantially altered or abandoned by the owner, the legal use can continue.  Remember, this only applies to legal uses.  If a use is illegal in the county, it might also be illegal in Wickenburg, and cannot be grandfathered.

Will I have to pay tax on my utilities? Electricity, gas and water are subject to a 1.7% Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT or Sales Tax). As an example, a $150 monthly electric bill from APS would include an additional $2.55.  The tax on water, of course, would not apply if you are using your own well for water.  There is no utility tax on sewer or septic service.

How does the annexation process work? Annexation is a democratic process that requires consent of property owners, according to Arizona Revised Statute 9-471.  Signatures of more than 50% of the property owners and owners of 50% or more of assessed valuation in the area are required by state law.  If the required signatures are gathered, the Mayor and Council will vote to adopt an ordinance officially annexing the area into the Town of Wickenburg. 

If I am annexed into the town, will my address change?  Yes.  The unincorporated areas of the county use a five digit address system whereas if you are annexed, your physical address will change to a four digit or less.

Will I be able to keep my well?  Yes, if the property owner is connected to a well then the use of that well may continue.

Will I be able to keep my septic? Yes, if the property owner has an operating alternative sewer system then the use can continue even if a sewer line is extended to the property.

Will I have to change my garbage hauling service? This is a possibility; it will depend on the property location and access.  Town garbage service costs about the same as private service. The town picks up garbage twice a week.

What about livestock and barbed wire fences on my land? The Town understands the need for barbed wire and electric fences in some areas of the Town.  The Town Council will be considering the adoption of a new regulation in early Autumn giving the Zoning Administrator permission to grant barbed wire fencing and electric fencing on a case by case basis.  The main reason for the need of this regulation is to prevent private property damage that may occur by stray cattle.

How soon can I run for Town Council or Mayor? Upon completion of the annexation process if you can document you have lived in the annexed area for at least one year.   You can vote in the Town elections after 29 days of town residency.

Is the town annexing to make money? When annexing residential property, the town is actually losing money because it gains very little from property tax and utility tax revenues (see tax question for an estimate of your tax costs).  When annexing commercial property the town does benefit from additional sales tax revenue which in turn actually helps cover some of those residential costs.

Why did a large number of citizens from Morristown, Circle City and Wittmann recently ask if they could be annexed by Wickenburg instead of Surprise? During an early November overflowing Town Council meeting, scores of these citizens said they felt Wickenburg more accurately reflected their rural lifestyle than Surprise.  They felt annexation into the Town of Wickenburg was a way to control growth in a way that helps maintain the western and rural lifestyle so important to them and the area.

Benefits of Annexation

Police Protection – Quicker response time to emergencies

Fire Protection – Town residents are not subject to Rural Fire District Tax

Water- Town of Wickenburg residents are eligible to receive town water service.  If the Town water lines are extended by your property you may continue to have operation of your well unless you decide to connect to the utility.

Sewer- Town residents have the option to connect to the sewer lines if the utility is extended to your property.  However, if the property is vacant the Town Code has a formula created that may require a connection to the sewer line for future construction.

Fire Hydrants – Generally, whenever water lines are extended, fire hydrants are installed to better protect the area.

Streets and Roads – The town has a Street Maintenance Program that is designed to improve local roads.  The opportunity for street improvements are greater in the town than in Maricopa or Yavapai Counties.  Private streets will remain private with the owners maintaining responsibility.

Building Permits and Municipal Services – Wickenburg has a quicker process for permits than the county.  We are easier to contact and are more conveniently located than county offices which are in Phoenix (Maricopa) and Prescott (Yavapai).

Community Planning – Wickenburg citizens have the opportunity to participate in local planning through local committees, the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Town Council.

Zoning Code Enforcement – Wickenburg offers quick responses to inquiries of code violations within its town limits.  Whereas, the county may take a longer time to send out an official to investigate. 

Hillside Ordinance – In contrast to Maricopa County, Wickenburg does not have a Hillside Ordinance.  As a result, a Wickenburg resident’s construction costs should be lower.

A Voice In Local Government – Unlike the much larger municipalities that are annexing toward us, your voice is more likely to be heard by Wickenburg.   We have numerous citizen commissions and we are nearby.  Your chances of obtaining an appointed or elected position in Wickenburg are greater because we are a small community.  Of course, your vote in town elections will help influence community affairs.

Fire Insurance Rating – Property within one thousand feet of the town’s water lines will have an ISO fire rating of 4 while areas farther than one thousand feet are rated 8B.  The lower rating allows you to have lower property insurance costs.

School District – If you are annexed, your children will remain in the same school district as before the annexation.