Annexation suit moves to Corpus appeals court
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

The 13th District Court of Appeals in Corpus Christi has officially received the lawsuit challenging recent city of El Campo annexations although no timeline to hear the case has been set.

According to the court's calendar, records from Wharton County's 329th District Court aren't anticipated to arrive until April.

Overall, plaintiff's attorney Jason Ryan said the appeals process could take up to two years.

El Campo resident Tim Ryan, who is now also a candidate in the upcoming May City Council race, and Ryan Services' case was filed Jan. 31 and dismissed Feb. 19 by 329th District Court Judge Randy Clapp on the grounds it was not appropriate for him to hear the case.

City Attorney Ronny Collins says state annexation law supersedes the charter provision allowing petitions. He successfully argued before Judge Clapp that it is not appropriate for a single individual to challenge annexation. Instead, he said, a county or district attorney or the state attorney general would file on behalf of all if warranted.

Ryan has also approached the Wharton County county attorney to request he consider the issue.

County Attorney Trey Maffett has not indicated whether he would take action.

On Dec. 11, the city annexed four areas including part of the Sandy Corner area between Sandy Corner Road and Hwy. 71 north, land on FM 2765 near the new El Campo Middle School and land on U.S. 59 near South Meadow Lane, which includes Ryan Services.