Can Valley Grande be annexed by Selma or not? Experts agree it’s an unlikely scenario.

At least for now.

Perkins calls it a study, while others have claimed that it is not just a study, but is rather the first step in Selma annexing the Valley Grande community.

At a community meeting held last week, most Valley Grande residents in attendance expressed opposition to Selma annexing the area.

Annexation normally occurs in one of three ways.

The first is annexation by local act of the state legislature, the second is annexation by referendum;, and the third is annexation by petition of 100 percent of the property owners.

Residents in the Valley Grande area not wanting annexation have expressed concerns that annexation could occur through the Legislature without them having a say in the matter.

As described in the booklet, &uot;Annexation by local act of the state legislature removes most of the annexation procedure from the local government or residents and places it with the legislature.&uot;

The booklet suggests that the municipal governing body should discuss the proposed extension with its state representatives and state senators before taking any steps to seek passage of the local act.

The booklet adds that it is customary for local bills of this nature to be introduced in the House of Representatives.

When asked about the possibility of Valley Grande being annexed by Selma through the Legislature,

Dr. Jim Seroka, the director of the Center for Governmental Services in Alabama, called the possibility &uot;very unlikely.&uot;

Perry Roquemore, the executive director of the Alabama League of Municipalities, held a slightly different opinion on the matter.

Annexation by referendum, on the other hand, places the decision to annex or not into the hands of voters in the area proposed to be annexed, rather than a governing body.

Annexation by petition requires that 100 percent of the residents in an area proposed to be annexed provide a written consent, or petition, to be included in the city’s corporate boundaries.