Annexation proceeds with 4-3 vote
Sunset Terrace dropped as final vote anticipated Dec. 11
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

Residents of the small Sunset Terrace neighborhood on FM 2765 got a reprieve from annexation concerns Tuesday, but those living in the Sandy Corners subdivision may soon be entering the El Campo city limits.

In a 4-3 vote with representatives Robert Boone, Anthony Collins and Gloria Harris against, City Council tentatively approved its revised annexation plans minus Sunset Terrace.

A formal vote on the issue is expected during the upcoming Tuesday, Dec. 11 session. If approved then, all annexed areas become a part of the city of El Campo Jan. 1 and subject to taxation as of that date.

The question before Council next meeting is expected to be all or nothing.

Tuesday, Harris requested the targeted areas be voted upon individually.

"There are some areas I'd like to see annexed and some not," she said. Instead, Council opted to proceed with them as a group.

Councilman Kenneth Martin made the motion to proceed with annexation plans calling for the targeted Sandy Corners neighborhood to be included along with 400 feet east of Hwy. 71 North to Wilbur Road - contingent upon an industrial agreement (please see related story).

Along FM 2765, Martin's motion called for ag land owned by the Bode family to be annexed (although it may qualify for ag exemption), but dropped Sunset Terrace.

Land tracts south of FM 2765 were also included although they too will likely be ag exempted.

The motion also called for the city limits to extend on East Jackson to encompass Wharton County Electric Cooperative and capture all previously debated land west of South Meadow Lane and along the U.S. 59 south corridor.

Councilman Ed Erwin seconded to send the proposal to a preliminary vote.

Collins urged Council to reconsider.

"I think we're rushing. It wouldn't hurt to wait until next year - to take a step back and take a closer look," he said.

Erwin disagreed.

"Slow down? We've spent months on this. The reason it is so shocking is that (annexations) haven't been done in years," he said.

Preparations for Tuesday's vote actually started in 2000 with the development of the city's 2020 Comprehensive Plan.

"The longer we wait, the higher prices are going to go up," Mayor Phillip Spenrath said.

Voting against the measure Tuesday, Boone said he intended to "knock on doors" in the Sandy Corners area before the formal ordinance vote Dec. 11.

"I've yet to find anybody in favor," he said.

With Mayor Pro Tem Kyle Smith's resignation (please see related story), the remaining six City Council members will be asked to make that decision.

Had Smith not cast a ballot Tuesday, the vote would have been tied.