JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – A bill moving through the state General Assembly would redraw Jacksonville\u2019s city boundaries to include hundreds of square miles of federally owned military land.<\/p>\n
Senate Bill 817 would bring large portions of Camp Lejeune and other military property within Jacksonville city limits. Jacksonville City Manager Joshua Ray said the move would strengthen the city\u2019s partnership with the Marine Corps.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrently, we have a number of intergovernmental service agreements with the Marine Corps. Those include transportation, hauling, signal lights, water and wastewater, and recreation services. This annexation will allow us to deliver those services to additional sections of the base,\u201d Ray said.<\/p>\n
Ray said the annexation would add about 217 square miles of land and bring Jacksonville\u2019s population to around 76,000. The city\u2019s population currently sits just over 73,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis annexation will bring in approximately 217 square miles of additional land. It will cover every bit of property owned by the national government except for the section which is immediately adjacent to Holly Ridge,\u201d Ray said.<\/p>\n
Not all Jacksonville residents are convinced the annexation would benefit them. Jacksonville resident Angel Delgado said if the city expands its boundaries, taxpayers should see a benefit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re already being funded by the government with a tremendous budget, so then every Jacksonville resident should get a tax break,\u201d Delgado said.<\/p>\n
Ray said the annexation would not impact Jacksonville taxpayers. He also noted the bill, if passed, would not give Jacksonville any authority over the base.<\/p>\n
The bill is scheduled for a vote on July 27, according to Ray.<\/p>\n
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