West Columbia message: Join us, not Springdale

West Columbia is urging residents of an adjoining area to spurn Springdale’s attempt to annex their neighborhoods.

That message is being backed up with an enticement – West Columbia is offering lower bills for residents in the area it supplies with water for up to two years while city officials work to add them.

The move is sparking a tug-of-war between the neighboring Lexington County communities over who is better suited to take in the square-mile area. It comes as Springdale officials woo residents in a referendum April 14 for the area along U.S. 1 to join the town.

At stake is an area with an estimated 1,000 residents and 70 businesses between I-26 and Wattling Road. It is north of Springdale and west of West Columbia.

West Columbia officials are sending letters to the 467 homes in the area, urging them to reject Springdale and look at becoming part of their city instead.

“We feel we have a lot more to offer,” West Columbia Mayor Joe Owens said. “We’re the better choice if they want to be part of a community.”

West Columbia’s surprise intervention creates a new hurdle for Springdale officials trying to persuade the area to become part of their town.

“It’s not going to help our cause,” Springdale Mayor Michael Bishop said.

In its letter, West Columbia says it can provide better police protection and reduce bills for water, sewage, trash collection and street lighting.

Springdale officials counter that the area will have a larger voice at Town Hall and faster police response in their town of 2,700 residents. Residents of the area might not get that attention from much larger West Columbia, home to 15,000 people, they say

For a typical homeowner, joining either community would add up to $250 a year in property, vehicle and utility taxes, officials in both municipalities estimate.

The referendum on becoming part of Springdale comes after a town-sponsored petition drive in response to requests from some residents of the area to join it.

Homeowners in the area have a mixed reaction so far. Some say they don’t want higher taxes while others say the extra services are worth it. It’s too soon to say whether many homeowners are flattered by the dual courtship, even with West Columbia’s offer to reduce water bills immediately.

Springdale officials are continuing their soft-sell approach on annexation despite dismay at the unexpected competition with West Columbia.

“If it doesn’t work out, we’ll move on,” Bishop said.

This story was originally published March 29, 2015 at 9:42 PM with the headline "West Columbia message: Join us, not Springdale."