By a close vote that had been postponed, the Texarkana, Texas, City Council on Monday approved annexing land adjacent to the northwest city limits.
Mayor Bob Bruggeman cast a tie-breaking vote to bring the territory, called Study Area 6, into the city, subjecting those who live there to municipal taxes, laws and regulations while making city services available to them. The vote was the last of seven on various territories proposed for annexation. In all, the council chose to annex six and leave one outside the city limits.
Voting yes were Ward 1 Council Member Jean Matlock, Ward 2's Mary Hart and Ward 3's Betty Williams. Ward 4's Christie Alcorn, Ward 5's Bill Harp and Ward 6's Josh Davis voted no.
On Aug. 13, the council voted on the other six territories. Saying she wanted to discuss annexing only a portion of Study Area 6, Matlock asked to postpone voting on it. The council met Aug. 20 to discuss altering the boundaries of Study Area 6 but decided to leave them as is and proceed with the vote.
Study Area 6 is a 23.6-acre territory on either side of Richmond Road/FM 559 in the vicinity of Woodmere Court, adjacent to northwest Texarkana. The area is almost completely surrounded by the city.
Annexation has been a controversial issue since the city began the process in May. At two public hearings, residents of the areas to be annexed told the council they did not want city services or to pay higher taxes and other expenses.
The city must extend water and sewer service to the annexed territories within two-and-a-half years, according to a service agreement that is part of the annexation ordinances.
Residents 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.
The council also conducted public hearings and voted on a number of issues, including permits, rezoning and the city's proposed property tax rate for Fiscal Year 2019.
No one spoke during a hearing on the tax rate, which is set to remain unchanged at $0.70 per $100 valuation. A second public hearing on the tax rate will take place at 12:15 p.m. Sept. 5 at City Hall.
The council approved a site plan for an apartment complex just west of McKnight Road and Pavilion Parkway, rezoning 802 Main St. to allow a single-family residence there; permitting manufactured homes at 3922 Alexander Ave. and 3505-3509 Findley St.; and permitting a tattoo studio at 3801 State Line Ave.
The council's next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10.
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