The city limits of each city, pending approval from MoDOT, will be extended to a point halfway from where the current borders sit. The property covers only MoDOT right of way, including Interstate 70 and the service roads running parallel next to the highway. Officials estimated each city would gain approximately 3,300 feet down the Interstate 70 corridor. Warrenton's eastern city limits now end 300 feet east of Franklin Road, while Wright City's western boundary line is at the South Stracks Church Road overpass. "I think that it is as fair as anything," said Jamey Abercrombie, Wright City alderman. "You divide it down the middle and go with it." The short meeting held last Wednesday, June 10, was a follow-up from last month when both cities renewed talks on future annexation requests and growth. Both cities will request a voluntary annexation and submit a petition to MoDOT. Both cities also need approval from the county commissioners and Truesdale. The exact boundary line won't be known until a survey is completed. City officials anticipate the new city limits to be approved and signs changed by the end of the year. "It's what makes sense to this group so we're not dealing with this in the future," Warrenton Mayor Greg Costello said. At last week's meeting, city officials viewed maps that included the boundary lines used by telephone companies and the Warrenton and Wright City Fire Protection Districts. The boundary line agreed to last week is in the same proximity as both of those borders. "It gives you a planning tool for the city," Costello said. "Both boards have the ability to plan for the future." Had the cities chosen the fire districts' boundary line, Wright City would have gained approximately 2,800 feet to the west, but Abercrombie preferred more room. "I'm looking at it as, if we need, it's there," he said. "If we don't need it right now, that's fine. I don't want to agree to something that will just give us the bare minimum." The only objection voiced at last week's meeting came from Wright City Mayor Roy White. He repeated his desire for both cities to refrain from annexing more land until the property in question is needed for development. "Personally I think the whole area of Stracks Church down to Warrenton and Truesdale boundary should stay open until somebody needs it," White said. "If you need some, you have room to grow." Costello reminded White that not having a written agreement in place led to both cities needing to initiate talks again this year. Last year, it was believed a "handshake" agreement was going to keep Wright City's boundary at Stracks Church Road overpass. However, earlier this year Wright City officials indicated they wanted to annex the land all the way down to Franklin Road. Officials from both cities hope the voluntary annexation leads to access ramps at the Stracks Church Road overpass in the future. "If it's not in writing or on paper, nobody remembers it the same," Costello warned. "I think we finally want to close this chapter on this issue." Earlier this week, the county commissioners indicated they would have no problem with the boundary line adjustments. "As long as the two cities are happy with it, it won't make much difference to us," Southern District Commissioner Hubie Kluesner said.