Want to know ALL of the options we have right now???
On April 21st, the self-appointed Timberwood Area Research/Incorporation Committee was notified by the City of San Antonio that, ?“the city staff received direction from City Council to take the necessary steps to annex property for limited purposes so that parties have sufficient time to negotiate a binding Agreement for Services in Lieu of Annexation.?”
Limited purpose annexation means that we would have some city services (such as code compliance), be able to vote in city elections, but we wouldn't have to pay city taxes until the end of the 3rd year. In order to negotiate further with residents of Timberwood Park, they must annex us for limited purposes.
You may recall that the petition the committee circulated was for annexation. The committee?’s legal representation is taking the position that limited purpose annexation isn't an option since the petition that was submitted requested ?‘full?’ annexation. Again, this is the Incorporation Committee?’s interpretation.
As the letter from the city indicates, the city appears to be open to negotiations that could include a non-annexation agreement for our area. Legally, they can agree to delay annexation for up to 25 years, though 15 years would be more like it. If agreed to, this means we would not pay city taxes for an extended period of time.
The committee has directed their legal representation not to enter into ANY negotiations with the city. Technically, they shouldn?’t ?– they are not a representative body for residents in our area. However, the committee has also directed their representation to put an injunction against the city to halt limited annexation proceedings?—without any consultation with the community. This could result in the city withdrawing any offer and proceeding with full annexation, as the committee requested.
The committee did this without informing the residents (or petition signers) or asking what the residents wanted. The committee does not represent the residents or the petitioners. They were neither voted into positions nor elected. They cannot legally speak for the entire community. The community deserves to be informed of options available to us right now
Are you willing to gamble that under incorporation we would get a better deal? There is no guarantee that if incorporated our taxes would be lower. There is no guarantee that our services would improve with incorporation?—we would have to pay higher taxes for improved services. And, we would begin paying taxes within18 months on an incorporation election.
For residents that love our neighborhood as it is, status quo, a non-annexation agreement with the city for as long as possible seems o be the best option available to us now. We could potentially enjoy many years -- to 25 years -- without city taxes, and have the assurance and guarantee of established, comprehensive services when we do become part of San Antonio.
The community deserves to hear ALL the options available ?– and more importantly, DESERVES to be heard.
Please, let the committee know what YOU want.
To see San Antonio's full annexation report, go to http://www.sanantonio.gov./planning/annexation_info.asp
On April 21st, the self-appointed Timberwood Area Research/Incorporation Committee was notified by the City of San Antonio that, ?“the city staff received direction from City Council to take the necessary steps to annex property for limited purposes so that parties have sufficient time to negotiate a binding Agreement for Services in Lieu of Annexation.?”
Limited purpose annexation means that we would have some city services (such as code compliance), be able to vote in city elections, but we wouldn't have to pay city taxes until the end of the 3rd year. In order to negotiate further with residents of Timberwood Park, they must annex us for limited purposes.
You may recall that the petition the committee circulated was for annexation. The committee?’s legal representation is taking the position that limited purpose annexation isn't an option since the petition that was submitted requested ?‘full?’ annexation. Again, this is the Incorporation Committee?’s interpretation.
As the letter from the city indicates, the city appears to be open to negotiations that could include a non-annexation agreement for our area. Legally, they can agree to delay annexation for up to 25 years, though 15 years would be more like it. If agreed to, this means we would not pay city taxes for an extended period of time.
The committee has directed their legal representation not to enter into ANY negotiations with the city. Technically, they shouldn?’t ?– they are not a representative body for residents in our area. However, the committee has also directed their representation to put an injunction against the city to halt limited annexation proceedings?—without any consultation with the community. This could result in the city withdrawing any offer and proceeding with full annexation, as the committee requested.
The committee did this without informing the residents (or petition signers) or asking what the residents wanted. The committee does not represent the residents or the petitioners. They were neither voted into positions nor elected. They cannot legally speak for the entire community. The community deserves to be informed of options available to us right now
Are you willing to gamble that under incorporation we would get a better deal? There is no guarantee that if incorporated our taxes would be lower. There is no guarantee that our services would improve with incorporation?—we would have to pay higher taxes for improved services. And, we would begin paying taxes within18 months on an incorporation election.
For residents that love our neighborhood as it is, status quo, a non-annexation agreement with the city for as long as possible seems o be the best option available to us now. We could potentially enjoy many years -- to 25 years -- without city taxes, and have the assurance and guarantee of established, comprehensive services when we do become part of San Antonio.
The community deserves to hear ALL the options available ?– and more importantly, DESERVES to be heard.
Please, let the committee know what YOU want.
To see San Antonio's full annexation report, go to http://www.sanantonio.gov./planning/annexation_info.asp
