Annexed areas now officially in city limits
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

Home and businesses owners in areas recently annexed by the city of El Campo won't be seeing a financial impact until May although all municipal ordinances are now in effect.

Speed limit signs were posted last week along with city boundary markers along Sandy Corner Road.

A 40 mph speed limit is posted for areas north of the Hermann Estates and Sam Houston Road. South of that point, travelers are expected to abide by a 30 mph limit, Street Superintendent Daniel Priesmeyer said.Motorists should have no trouble seeing the new signs, he added.

Enforcement is already under way, Police Chief Jim Elliott said.

"We encourage motorists to observe the new designated speed zones," he said. "We have begun to provide police service to the annexed area. Residents and motorists will see officers patrolling the area 24/7. Should the residents request increased patrols, patrol frequency will increase upon request."

Garbage pickup service is available to all residences and businesses after a deposit is paid at City Hall. As of Jan. 1, no trash burning is allowed although those with private contract service will be allowed to complete their agreements.

El Campo fire and EMS services have always covered the area which is now part of the city.

The city has started receiving calls in reference to street and drainage concerns, Priesmeyer said, adding a thorough review of both is planned.

Although City Council's technically approved annexation of the Sandy Corner neighborhood, businesses on Hwy. 71 North to Wilbur Road, and west on U.S. 59 from South Meadow Lane on Dec. 11, the property didn't go on the municipal tax rolls until yesterday.

That's also when the city's proclaimed "grace period" for code enforcement ended.

In addition to a tax bill and pending city services, residents of annexed areas will gain the right to vote in El Campo municipal elections.

The next one will be in May when Council at-large posts go before voters. Currently Mayor Phillip Spenrath and Mayor Pro Tem Kenneth Martin are the city at-large representatives. There is also a vacant chair previously occupied by Kyle Smith which will be on the May ballot.

In El Campo, the top three vote-getters of all at-large candidates earn the posts. Historically, the mayor and mayor pro tem are selected from these three posts.

Prior to that vote, the city will have to present its voting plan to the Department of Justice, likely adding Sandy Corner residents to what's popularly known as the Town & Country District - Seat 4 currently held by Councilman Ed Erwin.

About the time of the May election, property owners in annexed areas will begin receiving appraisal notices and the first indications of cost.

The tax bill due Jan. 31 reflects the 2007 appraisal and taxes owed, Wharton County Central Appraisal District Chief Tylene Gamble said.

CAD is working to determine exactly what impact the annexations will have on the city of El Campo's tax base, but that won't be completely clear until next fall.

Property owners will receive their preliminary value statement in May, Gamble said, adding that's when those in the newly annexed areas will see a new line indicating the city of El Campo and an estimated tax bill.

"That will be the first piece of paper that has that on there," she said.

The city will set its 2008-2009 tax levy next September and the bill will go out in October.

This year, the municipality's almost 56 cents per $100 in property levy would mean $559.76 bill for the owner of a $100,000 home.

On Sandy Corner Road, the CAD reports home values ranging from $46,000 to almost $210,000 currently while on Duckett home values range from $59,000 to $229,000 and are generally in the $40,000 range on Lenora. Values on Hwy. 71 North homes and businesses vary greatly.

For the city, the current cost estimate for annexation is $5,047,523.50 which would cost every El Campo utility customer, currently in the 4,400 range, between $5.66 and $7.10 per month for the next 20 years.

That amount could drop, however, if an estimated $865,000 in the city's Utility Fund balance is tapped.

In addition to the pending tax bill, those in annexed areas will also have to pay to tap into city water and sewer lines once they become available in two to three years.