Grantsville Sues Texas Lieutenant Governor Over Annexation Delay

Grantsville Sues Texas Lieutenant Governor Over Annexation Delay

City Challenges Delay in Land Certification

GRANTSVILLE, Utah — A yearslong fight over land annexation in Tooele County has escalated into new litigation. The city of Grantsville has filed a lawsuit against Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, accusing her office of failing to certify an annexation involving nearly 8,000 acres of land.

The lawsuit follows a November 2025 ruling by the Utah Supreme Court that supported Grantsville’s annexation plan and rejected challenges brought by its opponents. According to the complaint, Henderson’s office has not completed the required certification despite the ruling. Grantsville argues the delay violates the statutory timeline.

Annexation Dispute Spanning Several Years

The dispute dates back to August 2020, when landowners petitioned to annex more than 7,800 acres—including Six Mile Ranch, near state routes 112 and 138—into the northeast side of Grantsville. At the time, neighboring Erda was still in the process of becoming an incorporated city.

In November 2021, the Grantsville City Council voted to accept the annexation application. When the city attempted to move forward in early 2022, Erda filed a protest. The Tooele County Boundary Commission later rejected Erda’s objections and unanimously supported Grantsville’s plan.

The Grantsville attorney’s office said in a statement that the annexation had already survived two lawsuits and an abandoned protest. The city formally approved the annexation in October 2022.

Supreme Court Ruling and Continued Resistance

According to the complaint, a special interest group—the Erda Community Association—launched another lawsuit to block the plan. The group’s website describes its mission as protecting Erda’s rural and agricultural character. The 3rd District Court in Tooele County dismissed the case, ruling the group lacked standing. The Utah Supreme Court affirmed that dismissal in November 2025.

Despite the ruling, the annexation was put on hold by a temporary restraining order issued earlier in the case. Grantsville then sought certification through the lieutenant governor’s office. The lawsuit says Henderson’s office has not responded. Attorney Robert Mansfield said, “It’s hard to say why she isn’t doing it. I don’t see any legal basis for her not to do it.”

City Leaders Say Annexation Serves Long-Term Goals

Grantsville Mayor Heidi Hammond said the land is important for the city’s future planning. She noted the property is owned by three brothers, including her father. Hammond stressed she receives no personal benefit.

She said the city is not seeking immediate development but wants control should opportunities arise. The land sits near major highways, which she said could support future commercial growth. “We can obviously tell that there will be opportunities at some point that would be good for Grantsville city,” she said.

Henderson said in a statement that the dispute involves “complicated, yearslong litigation” and expressed hope that the legal issues will be resolved. Meanwhile, the Erda City Council voted Jan. 12 to join another lawsuit related to annexation statutes, with the condition that the city will not bear the financial costs of the effort.