A home owners organization is claiming a small victory in its fight against annexation.

This week, a Wayne County judge sent the annexation back to the city of Goldsboro.

Bill Burnette has lived near the Belfast community for 13 years. He said his home sits about four miles from Goldsboro city limits.

"I never thought I would have to be concerned about being annexed by the city, living so far out of town," he said.

A belief many homeowners shared, at least until last April; that's when the city voted to annex seven neighborhoods with more than eleven hundred people.

"We the citizens out here have had no vote in what is happening to us and choosing where we live."

In October, a home owners organization took the city to court.

Monday, a Wayne County judge sent the annexation back to the city, because the council never clearly showed how water rates impact the nearly 500 homes.

Burnette explained, "First of all, I don't think anybody would argue and or fight a situation where they're getting a return on their dollar or they're getting what they're paying for. But that is not the case here."

The city defends the $7 million annexation by saying it benefits homeowners with services including sewer, police, and fire.

City water rates are also cheaper than living out in the county.

But with annexation doubling taxes, many worry the price for city services comes with too high a price.

"If you add city and county taxes combined in Goldsboro and Wayne County, you'll find you can live in Raleigh, tax-wise, cheaper than you can here. That doesn't make a whole lot of sense," Burnette added.

Although the city said it hasn't received any written order from a judge.

Once drafted, it could force the city council to hold public informational meetings on water rates and could even force the council to vote again whether to annex.

Burnette just hopes the ruling inspires council members to find alternative ways to increase tax base.

For more information about the annexation and how homeowners are fighting it, visit www.stopgoldsboro.com.