Union County Council approved a request submitted by the council committee on county administration and finance to seek the annexation of the new Timken Sports Complex into the City of Union at its regular monthly meeting Tuesday.

Finance committee members heard from Supervisor Tommy Sinclair on the issue during a brief meeting of that committee prior to the regular council meeting.

According to Sinclair, the annexation into the city would reduce the cost of water service at the complex. Annexation into the city also would mean it would have the protection of the Union Public Safety Department.

Committee chair Dora Martin said the county could be responsible for some of the costs of police protection at the complex — which the county would retain ownership of — but that’s an issue that would be worked out between the county and city. Sinclair reported it would be similar to how the cost of public safety protection at Union County Stadium is split between the county and school district.

That is something — among other issues — that would be worked out between the city and county in the annexation process. Sinclair reported the two entities already are working on those items.

Both the finance committee and county council unanimously approved asking the city to consider the annexation.

The annexation process began some time ago, Sinclair said.

The supervisor said when a request is made to the City of Union for water service and the property is contiguous to city limits, a provision is placed in the agreement for water service the possibility of annexation of said property could be the next step.

The county’s request to seek annexation into the city for the complex boils down to cost saving and public safety.

It’s similar to how residential requests are handled.