The decision hinged on five criteria. In a motion by City Commissioner Debbie McDowell and seconded and later amended by Vice Mayor Pete Emrich, the board rejected the citizens' petition based on the grounds that the land met the criteria for annexation under state statue 171.043. That law defines the character of an area suitable for contraction. The board also said the commission had to consider the public health and safety for all residents, that it was not feasible to contract the boundaries because of the urbanization of the area, contraction was not in the best interest of the future goals of the city and it would not be fiscally neutral.