The council voted to begin the annexation of sections 18 and 19 in Grant Township -- which is located just east of Linton.
"It's a positive move to grow the community," Mayor Tom Jones said after receiving the council's approval. "Some small group may oppose it."
But annexation is not going to hurt anyone today, he added.
In the past, one argument against annexation was that it would increase property taxes. But with House Bill 1001 that has changed, Jones said.
In 2010, homeowners will pay 1 percent of assessed valuation, rental property owners will pay 2 percent of assessed valuation, and business owners will pay 3 percent of assessed valuation.
Currently, the annexation is in the infancy stages with the legal description being drawn up by City Attorney Tim Shonk, Jones said.
During the meeting, Grant Township Trustee Rick Graves noted that he first learned of the annexation proposal after reading a recent edition of the Greene County Daily World.
Graves was also curious as to what section of Grant Township would be affected.
A vague description was then given referring to the area as in part reaching the railroad tracks on the south and just west of the flood plain.
The legal description is currently being drawn up by Shonk -- who is working on addresses and property descriptions of the area, Jones explained.
Both Graves and Jones agreed to discuss the matter in the near future.
"I think it's important we grow this county," Jones said.
Graves replied by saying, "I'm not opposed to that."
During the meeting, Jones also noted that he has been in contact with several landowners in the area and so far the idea of annexation has been met with little opposition.
Another benefit of annexing the area is the addition of sewage lines, he said.
"Once we have annexed, we have three years to put in all amenities," Jones added, noting a fiscal plan is a requirement of the project.
The annexation will also form a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district, he added.
"We will build the infrastructure ... and TIF the area," he said.
Annexation is not new to the city of Linton, Jones said. Just recently, the old GE and Ameritech properties, along with a section of Baseline Road where Independence Place now sits were annexed.
But annexation was not the only topic of interest during the Monday meeting.
In fact, annexation went hand in hand with a discussion on an assisted living facility -- which was proposed by representatives of Phoenix Construction and Development LLC of Terre Haute.
Joyce Lindley, CEO of the construction company, explained that the proposed project dubbed "Bridle Brook Adult Community" would offer 90 apartments with amenities as well as an Alzheimer's unit and hospice care rooms.
"The state is very interested in doing this in this area," Lindley said, noting the rarity of a hospice care facility in southern Indiana.
The plan has thus far been well-received at the state and local level, she noted. But in order to make it happen there is a need for annexation.
The proposed location for the assisted living facility is at State Road 54 and Lone Tree Road -- near Wal-Mart and caddy-corner from the Greene County General Hospital, she explained.
Preliminary floor plans on the project are now under way.
Upon opening the facility's doors, at least 30 employees would be needed, she said. But after the facility reaches full capacity a total of 40 to 60 employees would be needed.
After listening, Mayor Jones thanked Lindley and Carrie Boone for the proposal.
"We're excited to have you here," he added.
After the meeting, Shonk clearly defined annexation as "increasing the boundaries of a municipality to raise its assessed valuation and to provide services to the area and promote economic growth."
Annexation is not to be confused with zoning, Shonk stressed. They are two separate ideas.
Shonk also noted that annexation does not affect school townships.
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