State Sen. Scott Rupp has won Senate approval of his bill to prevent Weldon Spring from annexing any Missouri Research Park tracts whose owners don’t agree in writing in advance.

Rupp

The measure, passed 32-1 by the Senate on Monday, now moves to the House. The measure also would apply to municipalities bordering other research parks in the state.

Weldon Spring voters in February of last year approved an involuntary annexation of the 700-acre research park, which was developed by the University of Missouri to attract technology companies. After Nike, one of the corporations doing business there, filed a lawsuit challenging the annexation, Weldon Spring dropped its effort.

Rupp, a Wentzville Republican, said he was later approached by Nike and some other research park firms opposed to the annexation, to take some state action on the issue in case Weldon Spring tries again.

Rupp has complained that Weldon Spring officials were trying to get more tax revenue through annexation without providing better services. Weldon Spring has said the park would benefit from city maintenance of its streets and better police protection through expanded patrols by sheriff’s deputies funded by the city.

City officials in recent weeks decided to oppose Rupp’s bill, with City Administrator Michael Padella testifying in Jefferson City against it. 

In addition to its opposition to the bill’s basic thrust, he said, the city also is concerned about a provision requiring county approval of any research park annexation. He contended that might set a precedent in annexation matters in general.