Residents Oppose Annexation Into Brainerd

Crow Wing County Board hears from residents against plan to annex Riverside Drive area into city limits

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Several residents spoke out against a plan to annex their homes into the city of Brainerd during a Crow Wing County Board meeting. The county board acts as the town board for the Unorganized Territory where the properties targeted for annexation are located. Residents cited concerns over increased taxes, loss of services, and changes to the rural character of their neighborhood if annexed into the city.

Why it matters

This proposed annexation highlights the tensions that can arise when cities seek to expand their boundaries, especially in areas with residents who prefer to maintain their current township-level governance and services. The debate over the annexation plan raises questions about the criteria for annexation, the rights of existing residents, and the balance between municipal interests and preserving community character.

The details

The Brainerd City Council directed staff to work with Crow Wing County on an orderly annexation agreement for the Riverside Drive area. This was prompted by a septic system failure in the area last year, which the city said was more difficult to address since the properties were not within city limits. However, residents argued the septic issue was being used as a pretext, and that they were adequately maintaining their systems. Residents also expressed concerns that annexation would lead to higher taxes, loss of services like private snow removal, and potential clear-cutting of trees that would change the rural character of their neighborhood.

  • The Crow Wing County Board met on February 17, 2026 to discuss the annexation proposal.
  • The Brainerd City Council was hosting a public hearing on the annexation later on February 17, 2026 to hear testimony from residents.

The players

James Kramvik

Brainerd Community Development director, who presented the annexation proposal to the Crow Wing County Board.

Richard Schmidt

A resident of River Arches road who spoke in opposition to the annexation, citing concerns over increased taxes, loss of services, and changes to the neighborhood's rural character.

Crow Wing County Board

The county board that acts as the town board for the Unorganized Territory where the properties targeted for annexation are located.

Brainerd City Council

The city council that directed staff to work on the orderly annexation agreement with Crow Wing County.

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What they’re saying

“Annexation is not just a boundary change, it is a permanent shift in governance, taxation, infrastructure and community identity.”

— Richard Schmidt, River Arches road resident (Brainerd Dispatch)

“There's been no demonstration that annexation would meaningfully improve service quality.”

— Richard Schmidt, River Arches road resident (Brainerd Dispatch)

“Annexation should not move forward without transparency and meaningful resident consent.”

— Richard Schmidt, River Arches road resident (Brainerd Dispatch)

What’s next

If the Brainerd City Council approves the annexation resolution, it will then come back to the Crow Wing County Board for further consideration. Residents will have additional opportunities to provide input during this multi-step process.

The takeaway

This annexation debate highlights the complex tensions that can arise when cities seek to expand their boundaries, especially in areas where residents prefer to maintain their current township-level governance and services. The outcome will depend on whether the city can demonstrate the annexation serves the best interests of the affected residents, or if the residents are able to successfully argue that the annexation would do more harm than good to their community.