Following a public hearing on a voluntary annexation of more than 116 acres, Warsaw’s Common Council unanimously voted Monday night in favor of the move.

Mike Ragan was the only member of the public present for the hearing and simply said he supported the annexation.

The city has owned the 54.11 acres of land to the east of CR 100 East and across from the Warsaw Municipal Airport for approximately 10 years. It was the first parcel to be annexed during the meeting. The second parcel includes 62.21 acres and is along the south side of CR 300 North. That property was purchased by the airport in an auction within the last two years and, although there is no plan to build or expand on that land, mayor Joe Thallemer said it was purchased simply to prevent residential development there.

Warsaw City Planner Jeremy Skinner said the annexations would not generate any income for the city and would require approximately $2,000 to $4,000 in annual maintenance costs for plowing, salting and road repairs.

The airport board is looking to expand the east-west runway, requiring CR 100 East to be rerouted further east.

In another move, the council moved to allow the parks department to dispose of a building at 420 Little Eagle Drive in the Boggs Industrial Park. Since the Pete Thorn Center building became available for park use, the Boggs building is no longer needed and there is no reason to believe it will ever be suitable for future city needs.

The building will be sold to the highest bidder. It will be advertised for bids – with the minimum bid at the appraised value of $90,000 – on June 1 and 8 with bids to be opened at the Board of Works June 15 regular meeting.

Council members also unanimously approved the city’s strategic plan for economic development, identifying strengths and weaknesses and ways to move forward with neighborhood revitalization.

The next regular meeting will be Monday, June 4. Meetings start at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers and are open to the public.