Editing Elkhorn, Omaha, Nebraska (section)

===Annexation===
Elkhorn, founded in 1865 by George Crawford and platted in 1867, was an independent municipality until it was annexed by the city of Omaha in 2005. In an attempt to prevent the annexation, Elkhorn almost simultaneously annexed several surrounding subdivisions in an attempt to bring the city's population above 10,000 citizens; a 1917 state law limits Omaha's annexation power to neighboring communities not over 10,000 in population. On January 12, 2007, the [[Nebraska Supreme Court]] ruled in favor of Omaha, saying "…we conclude that Elkhorn ceased to exist as a separate municipality on March 24, 2005, the date that Omaha's annexation ordinance became effective."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.court.state.ne.us/opinions/2007/january/jan12/s05-1006.pdf |title=City of Elkhorn V. City of Omaha |date=2007-01-12 |access-date=2007-01-12 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The [[Supreme Court of the United States|United States Supreme Court]] denied Elkhorn's request to hear the case on February 22, 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1636&u_sid=2312472 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927223900/http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1636&u_sid=2312472 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-09-27 |title=Elkhorn annexation ruling favors Omaha; Fahey offers assurances |first=Rick |last=Ruggles |author2=David Kotok |newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]] |date=2007-01-12 |access-date=2007-01-12 }}</ref>

Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey said he tried for years to work with Elkhorn, whereby Elkhorn would not be annexed if the city did no further annexing of its own. Elkhorn representatives did not consider that a fair proposal and refused. Omaha began the process of annexing Elkhorn. The two municipalities went to court as Elkhorn attempted to block the forcible annexation by Omaha. It was not until after losing the first round in the courts that Elkhorn offered to reach an agreement with Omaha. Omaha, having won in the courts and already financially invested in the court fights, refused to deal with Elkhorn and continued the annexation process.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=2337400 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181454/http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=2337400 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-09-30 |title=Fahey says Elkhorn forced hand on annexation |first=Karen |last=Sloan |newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]] |date=2007-02-25 |access-date=2007-02-25 }}</ref>

The final Elkhorn city council meeting was held February 27, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/elkhorn-bids-itself-an-emotional-goodbye/article_394273ba-3313-5440-8b23-88db80599220.html|title=Elkhorn bids itself an emotional goodbye|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=2007-02-27|access-date=2021-03-07|archive-date=2024-04-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429003541/https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/elkhorn-bids-itself-an-emotional-goodbye/article_394273ba-3313-5440-8b23-88db80599220.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Elkhorn ceased to be an independent [[Local government|municipality]] on March 1, 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=2338767 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910124816/http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=2338767 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-09-10 |title=Elkhorn takeover two days away |first=Rick |last=Ruggles |newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]] |date=2007-02-27 |access-date=2007-02-27 }}</ref>