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Residents seek answers in annexation debate
By BRIAN PORTER Managing Editor
The second of three public hearings concerning the proposed annexation area of about 2.2 square-miles in Kaufman County, along the Interstate-20 corridor in Mesquite’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, included mostly a submission of questions Monday for city council and staff.
While all 12 landowners addressing council, both from inside and outside the annexation area, were in opposition to the proposal, most concerns addressed specific questions for staff.
The final public hearing on the proposed annexation will take place at 3 p.m. Aug. 7 at 711 N. Galloway Avenue in the city council chambers. The council vote on the proposed annexation will take place Aug. 21.
“The county has been good to us,” said Maxie Lee. “The response is 3 to 3-1/2 minutes, which is adequate.”
Mesquite’s closest fire facility, Station No. 7, is located at 1850 Clay Mathis Road, a distance of 8.3 miles from the intersection of Interstate-20 and FM 740. Forney Central Fire Station is located at 101 E. Aimee Road and Forney Station No. 2, an unmanned station, is located at FM 741 and Windy Lane.
Mesquite Fire Chief Mark Kerby and city staff have traveled the service route of all three stations in a staff car at the posted speed limit to establish expected response times. The response from Mesquite Station No. 7 is 11 minutes, 30 seconds. The response from the Forney Central Fire Station is 5:02 and from Forney Station No. 1 is 7:06.
“It’s a career department versus a volunteer department,” Kerby said. “When our trucks are there, we can hit the ground running.”
Kerby indicated the major difference could be the actual fire personnel reaching the scene, adding that Forney could have a truck at the intersection of Interstate-20 and FM 740 in 5:02, but may not have firefighting staff. He also indicated that calls to the county 9-1-1 call center are redirected, while Mesquite receives all 9-1-1 calls within its jurisdiction, saving some time in dispatch.
The response times could be similar in the future. Mesquite Fire Station No. 8 is expected to be operational on Oct. 1, 2007, and could drop the response time to the area, Kerby said.
About 300 to 350 single-family homes in the area would increase the need for a station within Mesquite’s current extraterritorial jurisdiction. Intense commercial and industrial development could also expedite the need.
James Monk, a resident in the annexation area in the 9600 block of FM 740, inquired about further information on land use at his property. He raises what he terms “gun dogs.” It requires the firing of a gun to train the dogs. The city cannot prohibit discharging of firearms on properties of at least 10 acres and more than 150 feet from any other residence or occupied building located on another property. Monk’s property is less than 10 acres. The city could grant a permit allowing for certain limited discharging of firearms for lawful purposes.
Judy Schrenk, who operates North Star Self Storage in the 10400 block of FM 740, is opposed to the additional city taxation, along with several of the other residents.
“Taxes seem to be the big issue with everyone,” Schrenk said.
Elaine Crosby also expressed opposition to the city taxation.
“I believe my neighbors have spoken honestly,” Crosby said. “I have neighbors that cannot afford one more taxation. I feel it is taxation without representation. These people will be able to vote, but it won’t matter at that point.”
Upon annexation, Anderson indicated that council districts would need to be redrawn for representation in the area. David Paschall is the Place 4 councilmember with a constituency which lies in the closest proximity to the annexation area. Shirley Roberts, Place 5, and Dennis Tarpley, Place 6, are at-large councilmembers.
Many of the residents are opposed to the annexation for reason of taxation, which they have indicated would make residing within the area unaffordable.
Annexation could potentially lower homeowner’s insurance in the area. The Insurance Services Organization rating in the annexation area is currently 10. Annexing the area could possibly lower the ISO rating slightly. Mesquite has an ISO rating of 3. Some insurance companies use the ISO rating as a basis for homeowner’s insurance rates.
Mayor Mike Anderson noted that city taxation, along with joining the city, brings many benefits both in the service plan and unmentioned in the service plan.
Regular police patrols, fire protection and ambulance service will begin immediately after annexation. The city of Mesquite will also use its planning and zoning authority to make sure development in the annexed area is orderly and does not hurt property values. Mesquite residents are entitled to discounts and reduced fees on many recreation and athletic activities, as well as facility rentals. Senior citizens over age 65 are entitled to a homestead property tax exemption of $65,000. In addition, persons receiving an over 65 or disabled property tax exemption also receive a “tax ceiling” on their taxes set at the amount of taxes paid in the year that one qualifies for the exemption.
Anderson also indicated Pat Kelly, who operates farming property in the 15100 block of Kelly Road, would be allowed to continue his agriculture exemption. Kelly’s family has been farming the land since 1902.
“We still have a little ag land in Mesquite,” Anderson said. “I would say you wouldn’t see a difference.”
Kelly contends additional city taxation could be to the detriment to his family farm. The ad valorem tax rate in Mesquite is $0.60148 cents per $100 of valuation.
“I’m paying as much taxes as I can and still stay in business,” Kelly said.
Anderson noted that the city of Mesquite has held the annexation rights to the area for more than 30 years.
Thirteen residents addressed council in the first annexation hearing, with one resident in support of the proposal.
The about 2.2 square-miles within the annexation area includes about 70 tracts of land, of which 23 are single-family residences. A mini-warehouse, church and club are also within the annexation area. The rest of the annexation area is mostly pastures and there are some firework stands.
Ken Hill, another landowner outside the annexation area, has proposed strip annexation which would allow the city to annex the I-20 corridor but leave landowners’ properties in the county.
The proposal would not conform to generally accepted planning principles, a statement posted on the city website indicated. State law specifies an annexed strip of land must be at least 1,000 feet wide, which would leave some large tracts only partially within the city limits, creating a hardship for both property owners and the city. The boundary lines follow tract lines as much as possible.
Solid waste collection, water and wastewater service would be provided by current providers. After two years, Mesquite would provide solid waste service. The water and wastewater service would continue to be provided by the current server, Markout water. Mesquite would have to apply to earn the sewer service contract to the area and would maintain only city streets.
Contact managing editor Brian Porter at 972-725-1948 or brian.porter@scntx.com.
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