Second public hearing draws more citizen crys of 'don't'
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

Against Annexation Sunset Terrace resident Carol Huddleston stood with 28 other speakers Tuesday night telling El Campo City Council members she was against the proposed annexation of her area. The annexation "doesn't make financial sense," she told Council. City leaders are meeting again Monday at 7 p.m. to discuss the issue. L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree

El Campo City Council heard a rather firm "Don't" from all but two of 30 speakers during their second public hearing on proposed annexations.

The 126-person crowd of citizens in the Civic Center's Duson room Tuesday doubled the attendance of the first hearing Nov. 6, although the message was the same - residents of the Sandy Corner and Sunset Terrace areas do not want to become part of the city. Several business owners also spoke against the proposal.

Council also received its second citizen petition on the matter - this time an 18-signature document from the residents of Sunset Terrace area "to serve as notice of our opposition to annexation."

Last week, residents and business owners along Hwy. 71 north handed them a 52-signature document.

So far, Council has made no decisions, Mayor Phillip Spenrath said.

They might start that process with a meeting set for Monday at 7 p.m. (please see related story).

Annexation is a way for the city to grow, the mayor said prior to accepting speakers. New land means zoning and border protection, more space for economic growth as well as the revenues that produces.

"It's never a good time. I know that," Spenrath said. "But when is it going to be? Next year? Or one year after? El Campo is going to grow. (Houston's) coming this way and we can't stop it."

The city of Wharton, he added, has already extended its boundaries west to the airport.

"In one year they could be to Pierce and the next year to the truck stop (at the first El Campo exit off U.S. 59)."

No one spoke against the proposed annexation of land along the U.S. 59 corridor to the east of the city limits, one of five sections currently under debate.

But they had plenty to say about the other four sections.

"I'm 60 years old and it's my dream to live in the country," Sandy Corners area resident Jimmy Roppolo told Council. "It's where I was born, raised and hope to die."

He urged Council to look at the costs of the proposed annexations which currently rests in the $5.5 million range which could mean between $4 and $8 per month additional to each utility customer depending on several factors, including a tax hike, increased costs or the use of utility fund balance dollars.

For the potential incoming resident or business, the bill could potentially run several thousand dollars when new lines are run and septic tanks abated.

Roppolo also covered many other items he said were the positives of being in the country including well water, the ability to burn brush, hunt doves and other small game on the property as well as doing unregulated electrical and plumbing work.

If approved annexations would become effective Jan. 1 making residents in the area city taxpayers. Water and sewer lines would be available to them in two to three years.

"What am I paying for for three years except garbage," James Hensley asked.

Delber Swanson questioned the Council on drainage concerns in the Sandy Corner area and how they would be addressed.

"Can you lead me to one person that's pro-annexation?" businessman Frank Marek asked. "There's something wrong with this picture?"

He urged Council to delay the proceedings.

"Call a time out after this and get started in January. This was started a little too late and hurried too much," Marek said.

Others focused solely on the expense.

"I'm barely making it right now," Manuel Hinojosa of the Sunset Terrace area said. "You are going to mess up my retirement."

"The city has nothing to offer that we don't already have," Shannon Moore said.

Tim Ryan urged Council to use its $3.8 million in fund balance rather than look to annexation for increased revenue.

County resident Jack Fisk told Council to think of the almost 2,000 veterans and veterans' widows already living in the city before making a decision. These individuals, many on limited incomes, he said, would face increased utility fees and taxes if annexations occurred. 71131205.BPS 11/7/07 12:11 El Campo resident Kenneth Tidwell encouraged Council to proceed with annexation policies rather than continue to allow residents on the city's outskirts to tap into existing water lines for a double rate.

"Double utility rates are defeating annexation. You ought to bring those people in," Tidwell said.

Council made no comment on the issue using the forum to receive public input only.