City targets five areas for annexation before 2008
By SHANNON CRABTREE newsdesk@leader-news.com

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El Campo City Council officially targeted five sections of land for possible involuntary annexation in a split vote Tuesday night.

Public hearings are anticipated in November. If ultimately approved, the areas would become the newest sections of the municipality this year and subject to taxation for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

Council had been reviewing seven possible sections of its extra territorial jurisdiction (land within one mile of the municipal boundaries) for possible annexation this year.

Discussions of two - a 340-acre tract near Wilson Road and a 92-acre tract along CR 369 - were abandoned Tuesday in favor of the following:

• Area 1: Along Hwy. 71 North bounded by Sandy Corner Road to the west and Wilbur Road to the north while the eastern boundary would be 500 feet east of Hwy. 71 or the depth of the individual pieces of property.

The estimated cost for extending water and sewer lines is $2.697 million.

• Area 3: The 60-acre Sunset Terrace tract off FM 2765 just north of the new middle school site for an estimated $445,453.

• Area 4: A tract south of FM 2765 bounded north by FM 2765, east by Ellwood Street and south by Doris Street for an estimated cost of $732,040.

On Doris Street many residents are already on city water and sewer but are paying double rates, City Manager John Steelman said.

"It's cheaper for them to pay taxes than to pay double rates," he added.

• Area 5: A 1,000-plus foot wide strip from along East Jackson Street running east to U.S. 59 to a quarter mile east of the first El Campo exit for a cost near $4 million - if the property requires water and sewer line extension within two years.

"I don't see big growth (in the area)," Councilman Robert Boone said. "I know we need to extend, but that's pretty expensive."

Councilwoman Gloria Harris agreed, saying she'd like to capture U.S. 59 to the Department of Public Safety station in Pierce, but added, "That's a lot of money."

• Area 6: An L-shaped tract both north and south of Jackson Street from South Meadow Lane toward the Ricebelt bridge for an estimated $635,980.

The decision to proceed with the annexation of the five tracts came in a 4-3 vote with Council members Kenneth Martin, Boone and Harris against. Voting for were Phillip Spenrath, Kyle Smith, Ed Erwin and Anthony Collins.

Following the vote, Martin said he cast his no vote because he felt the city should pursue land along CR 349 - a sentiment echoed by Harris and Boone. Mayor Spenrath quickly noted the city can opt to drop one or all sections before the final hearing.

As Council debates the merits of each parcel, Steelman said, they will also have to decide issues like utility connections. The city could require immediate connections or could allow for continued use of water wells.

Public hearings are tentatively set for Tuesday, Nov. 6, and Tuesday, Nov. 13, with a decision expected during the Tuesday, Dec. 11 Council meeting.