Cities vs. farms: Polk County will object to Alleman annexation

• The move is another strike against family farms as urban development encroaches, Alleman Mayor Bob Kramme told Axios Wednesday.

Catch up fast: Alleman is a town of around 425 people that's just north of Ankeny, which is more than 166 times larger.

• Alleman city officials have for months tried to annex as much as 1,900 acres of farmland between it and Ankeny to minimize development.

Yes, and: Alleman's annexation would include some areas Ankeny has targeted for development.

• Ankeny has argued that Alleman would likely be unable to provide basic services to the annexation area.
• Alleman already has difficulties in delivering services to its existing area, Supervisor Robert Brownell said.

Zoom in: Alleman currently has no sewer system so any development would likely include more septic tanks in the Four Mile Creek watershed, county administrator John Norris said in a meeting with supervisors Tuesday.

The other side: Kramme, who is a former supervisor, contends the current supervisors are "dead wrong" in their assessment.

• He plans to meet with Brownell today about the matter

What's next: The county will draft its letter in coming weeks.

• The CDB is expected to consider Alleman's annexation request early next year.