St. Cloud city leaders and homeowners are debating an annexation ordinance that faces a final vote Thursday.

  • Vote will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Cloud City Hall
  • Some residents against annexation; petition signed
  • In letter, city says it wants residents to have efficient fire, police services

Randy Ferrari has been living in St. Cloud for years as part of the county and he wants to keep it that way. "I don’t want to be in the city," Ferrari said.

He said his livelihood is at stake now that the city of St. Cloud is contemplating annexing him along with many other homeowners.

"I mow grass for a living, these are added expenses and taxes that I don’t want or need or want to afford," he explained.

He lives on a small piece of property that backs into the Florida Turnpike, on Old Canoe Creek Road -- a community called Whaley's Landing.

Right when you get off the turnpike, you can see red signs that read: "City forced annex is unjust." The signs stretch along a two-mile road. Homeowners said they're putting these signs in front of their houses, with the hope of getting their message across.


Map of Old Canoe Creek Road (Stephanie Bechara, News 13)

Ferrari received a letter from the city saying the point of the annexation is to make sure residents are safe and to provide fire and police services more efficiently.

But he, along with other homeowners, has signed a petition against it.

The homeowners said they're worried about increased costs for water, sewage and taxes. According to the city, there will be an increase in taxes and additional costs to connect to the city water. However, a city councilman explained it is not mandatory for homeowners to hook up to city water and sewer, unless their well or septic system fails.

Even though the city may believe this is a good idea, Ferrari doesn't believe the grass is greener on the other side. "I’ll fight it to the end," he added.

The city said that homeowners will see some additional charges at first but that they will also note a 25 percent reduction on their water rate.

The city council will vote on the ordinance Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Cloud City Hall.