Uncertain as to the reasons Bismarck wants to annex their subdivision and worried that it will raise taxes unimaginably high, residents of KMK Estates vented during an information meeting Wednesday.

Over a dozen property owners met with city staff in an effort to get a handle on the city's attempt to force annexation of KMK Estates. The subdivision, located in north Bismarck, consists of about 52 acres with 16 property owners with lots ranging in size from two to four acres.

Attorney Charlie Whitman said that the city of Bismarck has grown up around the subdivision, which was platted in the early 1970s. While KMK is not in the city, it does enjoy the amenities of being in the city. But residents were quick to point out they have their own wells for water and septic systems. They said the city commission wants to force annexation because of complaints from their city neighbors who use the gravel roads running through KMK - Buckskin, Colt and Arabian.

Should the subdivision successfully be annexed, the first order of business will be to bring in city water and sanitary sewer mains. Residents would be forced to connect to this infrastructure and pay for its construction through special assessments. The city's investment/finance officer, Dennis Schlenker, estimated costs for all services, included water, sewer, storm sewer, street lights, pavement, curb and gutter will cost about $120 to $130 per running foot paid back over 15 years. Water and sewer will go in first at an estimated cost of $30 to $40 per running foot.

Concerns were also raised over an increase in property taxes. The city estimates that KMK taxes will rise about 25 percent as long as the property values stay the same.

But the city will come in and assess the properties and there is a chance the values placed by Burleigh County will rise 13 percent to 19 percent.

One option discussed was to have KMK property owners hire and engineer and further subdivide the property. This way the special assessments and property taxes could be spread further.

A hearing on the annexation will be held at the Oct. 24 meeting of the city commission.

If land owners with at least 25 percent of the property file written protest of the annexation the process would be turned over to a state mediator and if no solution is found eventually turned over to an arbitrator.

It will be up to the city commission on whether to proceed with the process, a decision that will likely come after the hearing.

It was noted that many of the property owners are retired seniors living on fixed incomes, who might be unable to afford the increased taxes and be forced to sell their homes.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)