APOPKA, Fla. — After decades of discussion, leaders in the City of Apopka are taking steps toward a possible annexation of unincorporated areas into the city.

This comes as residents want to have a say in city decisions and have better access to emergency response services like fire and police, instead of only being serviced by the county.

In a unanimous vote Wednesday afternoon, the Apopka City commissioners approved a motion to hire a consultant to do a feasibility study for a potential South Apopka annexation.

“I’m so glad that they did vote on it. Now we can move forward and educate the people. And I think that’s the problem, some fear being annexed because they don’t know the benefits and they just they’re not educated on it,” South Apopka resident Monique Morris said.

This is not the first time the city discussed annexation, as former commissioner Alexander H. Smith says this has been an ongoing topic of discussion since 1984.

“Back in the early 80s, there was a vote that was taken. And the residents of South Apopka voted at that time to not be a part of the City of Apopka. And it’s my belief, the reason why that was, it was because they were not informed, wasn’t given all the information,” Smith said.

A map on the City of Apopka’s website shows the annexation study area extending from Keene Road to W. 10th Street, and from Marden Road to Sheeler Avenue.

In Florida, involuntary annexation of unincorporated areas into a city is governed by the Municipal Annexation or Contraction Act, which requires the city to prepare a detailed urban services report, hold at least two public hearings, and pass an annexation ordinance before it can go to the ballot so city voters and the affected residents can decide on it.

The city will pay $44,500 to The Corradino Group, Inc. to conduct the feasibility study.

“They will do a study about infrastructure, police protection, fire protection, public services, all of those things to make sure that they have all the data that the residents need in order to make an informed decision as to whether or not they want to be a part of the city,” Smith said.

The discussion drew extensive public comment from residents and community leaders, both supporting and opposing annexation. Those who opposed the idea of annexation, cited concerns of increased costs for services and potential for displacement.

Monique Morris, who was born and raised in South Apopka, says she was surprised when she first found out her home was not part of the city; instead she was in the unincorporated area.

“I thought I was in the City of Apopka, and then I found out that my trash was Orange County. But my water I paid to the City of Apopka. So, I inquired about being annexed into the city. And because right across the street from me, the business right across the street is City of Apopka. And they denied me and said, no, that I was going to create an enclave,” Morris said.

Morris says bringing South Apopka into the city would improve emergency response times and provide residents with a stronger voice in local government. 

“I feel that the government that’s closest to me will do more, much better for me. I want to be able to go to my local mayor and talk to him, my commissioners right here,” Morris said.

Another reason why she believes annexation would be beneficial is because as residents, they already pay taxes on all the services they use within city limits, but get no benefits from it.

“I go to Winn-Dixie almost every other day and Publix and I go and eat, and everything is in the City of Apopka, but we get no benefits from it,” she said.

The feasibility study is expected to take approximately two months to be completed. A representative with The Corradino Group said at the meeting that the goal is to have it ready by the beginning of August.