TITLE
Consider a memorandum/resolution refusing or granting a voluntary annexation petition for approximately 24.3 acres of land lying contiguous to the existing city limits and being located south of the Renick Ranch Subdivision, Killeen, Texas.
SUMMARY
DATE: September 5, 2019
TO: Ronald L. Olson, City Manager
FROM: Ray Shanaa, Executive Director of Planning & Dev. Svcs.
SUBJECT: Consider a voluntary annexation petition for approximately 24.3 acres of land lying contiguous to the existing city limits and being located south of the Renick Ranch Subdivision, Killeen, Texas.
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
On August 16, 2019, the Planning and Development Services Department received a voluntary petition for annexation from Mesa Verde Developers, L.P. and Tara Campbell. The subject tract is comprised of 24.3 acres and is located south of the Renick Ranch Subdivision, Killeen, Texas. The property is vacant, contiguous to current municipal city limits and is therefore exempt from a three year annexation plan. The owners are making the request to have the property annexed into the corporate limits of Killeen. In accordance with that, the staff has prepared a tentative 90-day annexation schedule (below) and will ask the City Council to provide a motion of direction to the City Manager.
Annexation Schedule
September 10th: If Council decides to conduct public hearings and institute annexation proceedings, Council shall direct the City Manager to prepare a service plan providing for the extension of full municipal services to the area, by any method used to give services in any other area of city. [LGC 43.065]
September 22nd and October 6th: At least 10 days and no more than 20 days in advance of each public hearing, publish notice in newspaper, post on website and send notice to school district. [LGC 43.063(c) & 43.905]
October 8th and October 22st: Conduct 2 public hearings between 20 and 40 days before annexation ordinance is adopted (note: this will require one special City Council meeting date). [LGC 43.063 (a)]
November 12th: Adopt annexation ordinance and approve service plan. [LGC 43.064]
(Can be no sooner than 20 days after 2nd public hearing.)
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
In accordance with LGC sections 43.028(d) and 43.065, the City Council has two alternatives:
§ refuse the voluntary petition; or
§ grant the voluntary petition and direct the City Manager to prepare a service plan that provides for the extension of full municipal services to the area to be annexed.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
Staff recommends that the City Council hear the petition and the arguments for and against the annexation and decide whether to refuse or grant the petition. Council is advised that granting the petition would continue the annexation schedule as outlined above.
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
The request for voluntary annexation conforms with state law.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
If directed to prepare a service plan, staff will assess the fiscal impacts of the petition and present that information to the Council.
Is this a one-time or recurring expenditure?
Expenditures related to the extension of municipal services would be a recurring cost.
Is this expenditure budgeted?
It is not budgeted at this time.
If not, where will the money come from?
If the property is annexed, it will be necessary for the money to come from future budget sources.
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this expenditure?
N/A.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council hear the petition and the arguments for and against the voluntary annexation and decide whether to refuse or grant the petition.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
City Attorney
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Annexation Petition
Annexation Exhibit
Exhibit A