CLEARWATER - A judge has turned down the Lealman Fire District's request to intercede in an annexation lawsuit between Pinellas County and three cities.
Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Bruce Boyer made his ruling Tuesday after hearing arguments from attorneys representing Pinellas Park, Seminole and Largo about why the fire district should not be allowed into the case on the side of the county.
"I don't think Lealman as a fire district is a proper or necessary party to the action," Boyer said.
The case involves claims by the three cities that Pinellas County failed to follow proper procedures in 2000 when it put an item on the November ballot to change the county's charter to set up annexation planning areas. The planning areas defined places within which cities could annex.
Pinellas Park, Seminole and Largo want the ordinance declared void.
