The Fairview Heights City Council voted to approve the annexation of two parcels of land located at the intersection of Sullivan Drive and Frank Scott Parkway West on Wednesday night.

The annexation involves about 40 acres that will be zoned planned residential and community business district. Both tracts are currently zoned agricultural. Ward 4 Alderwoman Linda Arnold voted against the annexation.

The council members also approved an ordinance that will add a stop sign at Wilmington and Lakeshire Drive and passed an ordinance approving the Comprehensive Plan for the city. Arnold and Ward 2 Alderman Speed Allen both voted against the ordinance.

Matt Stines of the Grant School District informed council members that District 110 plans to include a tax referendum on the April ballot. The referendum will ask voters to approve a tax increase to fund the school, an increase that equals about $8 a month.

According to Stines, property values have dropped in the city, and with state and federal budget cuts, the school is receiving less money to operate. The 2009-2010 budget for Grant School was $5,695,207. The 2011-2012 budget is $4,711,399, a $983,808 difference. The district has not put an education fund tax increase referendum on the ballot since 1985.