A group of property owners in the city’s 2017 incorporation area petitioned the Park Rapids City Council on Tuesday, August 20, to repeal the incorporation.

During a public comment period at the regular council meeting, Park Rapids resident Nathan Turnquist presented the council with a petition to return certain parcels of land incorporated into the city in 2017 to Henrietta Township.

The application is accompanied by a letter from Ann Lempola, Henrietta Town Clerk, stating that the Town Council has received a request from property owners named in the petition to secede from the Town. The Town Council has requested a meeting with the Town to discuss the application.

The petition itself states: “All residents of the area annexed in 2017 will be forced to pay higher taxes and pay for services not provided. The City of Park Rapids has no plans for future development on this land.”

It therefore states: “We request our transfer back to Henrietta Township.”

In addition to Turnquist, Eric and Jamie Munson, Russell Smith of Frontline Ministries, Joseph and Megan Breitweser and Richard Johanneck signed the petition.

Robin Fish is a staff reporter at the Park Rapids Enterprise. Reach him at [email protected] or 218-252-3053.