ALMA (KFSM)-- The city of Alma wants to expand its city limits to prepare for future growth, but the proposal is not sitting well with many living outside those limits.
Nearly 600 people living just outside the city received letters asking them to be included in the city limits.
“To have some control over the growth that will come,” Alma Mayor, Keith Green, said. “I mean, we anticipate, you know, in the next 15-20 years, being a whole lot bigger than we are now.”
Greene said he wants to prepare for the growth that the expansion of interstate 49 will bring to the city, but many of the people living outside the city say they want to stay there.
Sue Spinas owns a farm and raises small animals like goats, chickens and dogs. She said she's worried the city would put restrictions on her animals.
“Dogs are fine, as long as you're outside the city limits, but when you start having them in the city you're going to have them tagged, licensed and so forth, more than you do just being in the country,” Spinas said.
Spinas said she and many of her neighbors have another reason they want to stay outside the city.
“I personally have a license myself to carry a gun,” Spinas said. “I think that if you need to have a gun and use force you should be allowed to do so. Discharging one in the city limits I know is not allowed.”
Mayor Greene said Alma's strict gun ordinance has been the main issue people have with being included in the city limits, so he said, now they're considering changing it.
“We're looking at all aspects of it, and trying to come up with something that might not be as objectionable as what we have,” Greene said.
But, Spinas said changing the ordinance still might not make a difference.
“I think others in my community have also told me they felt the same way that they did not want to be in the city limits or we'd be inside the city limits at this time,” Spinas said.
Mayor Greene said joining the city limits is voluntary, but only a few people have agreed to do it.
A study session is being held on June 6th for city officials to come up with amendments to the ordinance, and then those have to be voted on by the city council.
Mayor Greene said if any amendments are approved, they will go into effect within the next few months.