MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Cordova residents recently annexed into the City of Memphis received a welcome letter, but what it said was not welcoming at all to homeowners.
A section of south Cordova officially became part of the city at the beginning of the year after a decade-long court battle. However, based on a mutual agreement with Shelby County, that area began receiving city services such as police and fire protection in 2001.
According to Memphis City Council attorney Allan Wade, the group of Cordova homeowners dropped their lawsuit in July 2011 and the court dismissed the case. After the area was annexed in January, the group tried to fight the annexation again but the case was dismissed in May.
The annexed area borders Germantown Parkway to the west, Walnut Grove to the north, Houston Levee to the east and Germantown city limits to the south.
Homeowners were recently notified by mail that as of July 1, the area will start paying city taxes. "They've been getting services for free for a while now," noted Council Chairman Bill Morrison.
A Cordova homeowner with a house valued at $150,000 will now have to pay approximately $1,200 in city taxes per year.
