The Landowners' Rights Association, Inc. is a non profit organization that has been set up specifically to fight the far reaching, hop scotch annexation of approximately 89 properties outside of Lewistown, Mt. Some of these properties are nearly 1 1/2 miles away from homes that border current City Limits and are not being considered for annexation at this time. While there are valid arguments ''fo
r'' and ''against'' annexation, most homeowners- and many City residents- feel that the current process is simply unequitable. Currently, the City has begun a "steamroller" annexation process that makes many feel that the only choice that remains is to attempt to fight this process legally. We are currently raising funds for our legal defense from homeowners, but some properties are owned by people who can't afford to donate and have resigned to moving away, and five properties are still owned by the developer, who will be released from his financial obligations to his subdivision if annexation is successful. Our taxes will incease approximately $800- $1300 per lot and we will loose our road maintenance from the County (the City cannot maintain the roads within current City Limits, so we expect a reduction in services to our area). Additionally, in some areas of the prospective annexation there will be no additional services provided, simply an increase in tax. Many residents who are on fixed incomes simply cannot afford this cost increase. We all feel that we purposely purchased our land outside of City Limits in order to avoid many of the problems that living within the City will bring us, and now that way of life is being forced upon us. We hope to raise $20,000 through Go Fund Me, which will help us take this matter to the Montana Supreme Court if necessary. Any funds remaining once this issue reaches it's final resolution will be distributed back to the donors in accordance to the percentage of the donation. Thanks in advance for your financial participation and support.
