NORTH PORT — When the city of North Port annexed Warm Mineral Springs Day Spa’s 81 acres in 2000, the intent was to diversify the tax base to lessen the burden for local taxpayers, says former city planner Sam Jones.

Jones, who worked on the voluntary annexation of the Springs 15 years ago, said the city needed more commercial development. One of the ways to do it was through such annexations of properties surrounding North Port, he said. These included Taylor Ranch, now known as the West Villages; the Kelse Ranch, which borders the Interstate 75 exchange at Toledo Blade Boulevard near North Port Estates; and the Springs. None of the residential homes in Warm Mineral Springs was annexed into the city, only the 81 acres, including the mineral-rich, 87-degree lake.