Western-Star.com

Deerfield Twp. and Mason have been trying to play nice, but Mason Mayor Tom Grossmann said annexation issues continue to dog cooperation progress.

"Frequently when we have brought up doing some cooperation, every once and a while they have brought up that we have to agree that there won't be any further annexations," Grossmann said. "But that's not possible, we aren't in control of that. Individuals that want to annex in have a right to apply for that. I don't know if they are going to continue with that kind of posture. I hope they don't."

Deerfield Twp. Administrator Dan Evers said annexation did come up in a conversation between elected officials recently — as a topic for possible future discussion — but he said the township has never taken the posture Grossmann suggested.

"I can absolutely tell you, it has not been a component of any negotiations with which we have been involved," he said.

The township and the city recently approved a joint resurfacing project that allows the governments to save 8 percent to 10 percent because of bulk buying. However, when it comes to fire services and parks, the two can't seem to get off the dime.

Mason council on Monday, April 21, agreed to put two levy questions on a special election ballot Aug. 5.

Mason and Deerfield had a unified fire district until they split in 1997, after Mason annexed large chunks of land, from the township.

On the parks front, Mason City Council halted plans for a new $432,622 skate park last year after Grossmann pointed out that the township was supposed to be in on the project.

Trustees said they should have been involved in the planning of the park if they were expected to pay for it.

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