OUR TOWN
City needs annexation to maintain competitive edge
MAYOR PHILLIP SPENRATH

On Sept. 11, your City Council authorized city staff to immediately begin taking all steps necessary to annex five previously designated areas in order to finalize the annexation process by the end of this calendar year.

After extensive research and deliberation, your City Council designated the geographic boundaries for each of the proposed annexation areas in order that households located within each region could be provided their Local Government Code mandated 30-day written notice. It is important to note that your City Council started this process in hopes that the annexation would be completed by late December 2007.

Council still possesses the authority to eliminate any and or all of the designated areas from the proposed annexation project prior to the December completion date.

The initial step in the annexation process began earlier this week when Council directed the city staff to prepare a Service Plan that provides for the extension of full municipal services to the area to be annexed in compliance with the Local Government Code.

This Service Plan will include a program under which the city provides full municipal services within the area no later than 2 1.2 years after the effective date of the annexation.

Police, fire and emergency services will be provided to these areas immediately upon the effective date of annexation. In addition, solid waste collection will also be offered to these new city residents on the same effective date.

Step 2 of the annexation process requires that city staff provide all property owners and entities with written notice of the City's intent to annex the area 30 days prior to the first public hearing. Pursuant to appraisal records furnished by the Wharton County Appraisal District, each property owner, or other entity living or providing services within the proposed annexation area, will be designated to receive written notice before Oct. 7.

Step 3 requires the City of El Campo to provide the El Campo Independent School District with written notice of 1) the area within the district proposed for annexation; 2) any financial impact on the district resulting from the annexation, including any changes in utility costs; and 3) any proposal the city might have to abate, reduce or limit any financial impact on the district.

Steps 4 and 5 consist of providing notice and then conducting two codesmandated public hearings. The first hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Nov. 6. The second hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Nov. 13. At that time, residents from the proposed areas of annexation may address council concerning questions or possible concerns.

Step 6 involves your City Council formally taking action by passing the annexation ordinance and approving the accompanying service plan. The city will formally enter into a contractual obligation by adopting the annexation ordinance and its attached service plan. This Council meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Dec. 11. After the ordinance is approved, the city must provide proper notification to the Secretary of State, State Comptroller and County Clerk.

Annexation is a very tedious and important process. I assure you that your City Council has conducted indepth research and deliberated many hours while reviewing all of the issues and concerns that have been brought to its attention concerning this project.

El Campo is entering a very exciting time of economic growth and development. We must make every effort to protect this future growth along with the integrity of our boundaries. With the uncertainty of gasoline, electricity and construction materials, your City Council and staff must explore any and all opportunities for generating additional revenue needed to continue providing you, our citizens, with updated and well-maintained roads and municipal services.

It is imperative that El Campo continues to stride forward and maintain its competitive edge. As your Mayor, my primary objective continues to be preparing El Campo for the future while maintaining our community's friendly small-town atmosphere.

- E-mail askthemayor@sbcglobal. net.