Five of the seven areas proposed for annexation into Texarkana, Texas, will become part of the city, one area will not and the vote was postponed on another area.
Unexpectedly Monday, the Texas-side City Council split its votes, choosing to annex the territories known as Study Areas 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 while leaving Study Area 1 outside the city limits.
The annexation vote was postponed on Study Area 6 to gather more information. A workshop will be scheduled.
Mayor Bob Bruggeman cast tie-breaking votes determining the fate of two of the annexation study areas. Specifically, the mayor's vote meant Study area 1 was not annexed and Study Area 5 was annexed.
In a pair of public hearings in July and a subsequent anti-annexation campaign, residents of the land said they did not want what the city has to offer or the increased taxes, other expenses and restrictions the move would cause for them.
Residents in ther areas annexed on Monday will have six months to connect to city services once they are available. The service agreement allows case-by-case exceptions for people more than 65 years old, homes more than 300 feet from a service line and homes with a working aerobic septic system. The city may also at its discretion give residents up to an additional year to connect.
Extending water service will cost the city more than $1.9 million, according to estimates in briefing documents prepared by city staff for the council.
The city also promises to provide health department, code enforcement, street maintenance, drainage and stormwater management, street lighting, traffic engineering, solid waste, public library, and parks services to residents of the annexed areas.
Look for the complete story at texarkanagazette.com and in Tuesday's print edition.