The consolidation of the lawsuits will keep the appeals from being heard by two different judges, hopefully expediting the process and avoiding unnecessary confusion, according to Anchorage attorney Brooks Chandler, who represents Citizens Concerned About Annexation, one of the two groups filing the initial appeals.

Alaskans Opposed to Annexation also had filed an appeal.

The judge handling the appeal has scheduled a status conference for Wednesday, July 17, in Anchorage, during which an additional bone of contention, some $4,500 in administrative fees billed to CCAA, will be debated.

Chandler said he doesn't expect a final ruling on the annexation appeal until next year.