JEFFERSON — Some property owners in Jackson County soon will be added to the city of Jefferson’s population count.

Monday night , the Jefferson City Council voted to rezone and annex 35 county properties. The mayor and five council members considered each property individually, voting on each one whether to rezone and then whether to annex. Votes were unanimous on most properties.

The purpose of the process was to eliminate unincorporated county "islands" within city limits.

"Would y’all raise your hands when you vote on me," questioned Roger Jackson when the council began proceedings to annex his property on Holders Siding Road.

"If it was me, I would have enough gumption to raise my hand."

During a Nov. 10 public hearing, Jackson publicly opposed having his property annexed to the city. His request for a physical vote was denied by Jefferson Mayor Jim Joiner, who told Jackson that the council would continue its voice vote.

Although many property owners attended the Nov. 10 public hearing, only two property owners attended Monday night.

During the meeting, the council also voted to approve the water, sewer and solid waste rates for the 2009 fiscal year, which include higher utility payments for some customers.

The utility bills of customers who use more than 6,000 gallons of water will be around $8 higher than they were during the previous fiscal year.

According to city staff, more than 50 percent of the city’s customers won’t be affected by the higher rates.