Incorporation into City in Texas

2.  Started in Feb. 2011 -
before Weatherford &
Halliburton.
 Tasked with exploring
incorporation and
getting the election for
incorporation on the
ballot.
 2012: Contacted City
of Von Ormy Mayor &
Attorney: Art Martinez
de Vara for assistance.

3. Proposed City of Sandy Oaks = 3500
La Vernia,Tx = 1120 Balcones Heights,Tx = 2820
China Grove,Tx = 1230 Poteet,Tx = 3350
Von Ormy,Tx = 1300 Castle Hills,Tx = 4240
Elmendorf,Tx = 1560
Somerset,Tx = 1690
Castroville,Tx = 2740

4. 1.To keep government close to the people.
2.To establish specific services like fire, police, animal control,
trash pickup, traffic controls, etc.
3.To control land use.
4.To control subdivision of land.
5.To establish a tax program or to prevent a tax program from
being established.
6.To qualify for various grants from state or federal agencies:
USDA, CDBG, etc.
7.To prevent San Antonio from annexing us.
8.To preserve land value, way of life and Local control.
9.To gain representation on local, state and federal boards.

5. 10.To recover lost franchise fees being paid to other
entities.
11. Opt out of taxes that are being assessed with no
service being provided (example:VIA Bus Services).
12. Option to opt out of water CCN to start own water
or sewer utility.
13. Option to opt out of ESD (emergency services
district) to start our own fire department.
14. Tax money stays local.

6.  Franchise fees are payments received from
electric, gas, telephone, internet and cable
providers within city limits.
Payments are made to the city in exchange for
each provider's use of public right-of-way to
conduct their business within the City.

7.  City brings liabilities
that require risk
management.
 Along with government
come taxes.
 Road Maintenance
 Grants come with
staffing and regulatory
requirements.

9.  Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction of San Antonio,
requires 2 processes and negotiations with San
Antonio
 Southside Limited Purpose Annexation will put SA’s
ETJ into Atascosa County within 3 years.
 Area of the initial city is tied to population
 How do we prove population?
• 2010 Census Data – only acceptable data source
• Rural Census Blocks are LARGE

11. San Antonio’s limited annexation plan means
expanded ETJ and interest.
Southside annexation will stretch SA’s budget.

12.  1. A petition of 50 registered voters
 2. Survey 4 square miles city limit
 3. File with City of San Antonio for conditional release
( this fight took two years ).
• Staff Review and Recommendation
• Planning Commission Recommendation
• City Council Vote
• San Antonio only released 2.4 square miles for city
 4. Election for Sandy Oaks Incorporation May 10, 2014
 5. Election for Mayor and Council on July 2014.

13. April 10, 2014 Last day to register to vote for May Election
April 28, 2014 Early Voting Begins
May 6, 2014 Early Voting Ends
May 10, 2014 Election Day
 Election Site: Waterwood Club House
 The ballot will have two choices:
 “For incorporation” or “Against incorporation”
 “Incorporation” is the legal term used to describe the
formation of a new city.
 If successful, another election for mayor, five aldermen and
marshal will be held 8 weeks later.

14. Home Rule Cities – over 5000 residents
Statutory Cities – under 5000 residents
• Type A: Large cities – over 700 residents
 Aldermen form of government
• Type B: Small cities – under 700
 Aldermen form of government
• Type C: Large or small
 Commissioner Form of Government

15. Mayor
• Only votes when there is a tie
Board of Aldermen
• Five positions elected at-large
• City can form wards, 2 aldermen per ward
Marshal
• Office can be abolished

16.  A Budget Officer
 Select a depository (bank)
 Provide insurance for liability and property
 Provide an Engineer for Public Works and
Construction
 Provide Defense for Police Officers
 Meet Americans with Disabilities Act
Requirements

17.  police and fire protection services
 animal control
 health and sanitation services
 street construction and maintenance
 garbage and solid waste removal, collection, and
disposal
 establishment and maintenance of jails
 parks
 libraries and library maintenance
 community, neighborhood, or senior citizen centers
 operation of emergency ambulance service

18.  regulation of traffic
 transportation systems
 recreational facilities
 tax collection
 building codes and inspection
 zoning, planning, and plat approval
 maintenance of traffic signals, signs, and hazards
 community development or urban renewal activities
 Codify Ordinances
 Establish and Regulate Health Standards

19.  Adopting Subdivision Regulations
 Adopting Zoning Regulations
 Adopting a Comprehensive Plan
 Annexing Property
 Adopting the Annual Budget
 Raising Taxes
 Levying Assessments for Street or Other Public Imp.
 Sale of Park Land
 Condemnation of property

20.  Sales tax
• must hold election to adopt 2¢ sales tax.
 Franchise Taxes
• Electric,Telephone, Natural Gas,
Telecommunications
 Property Taxes
• $1.25 per $100 max
• Poteet $0.735 (highest in Atascosa County)
• Kirby $0.729 (highest in Bexar County)
• Somerset $0.707
• San Antonio $0.565
• Von Ormy $0.255
• Sandy Oaks ??
 Traffic Fines: Must adopt traffic code first

21. Grants
• Small Cities Community
Development Block Grants
• Economic Development
Administration
• Rural Development
Administration
• Water Development Board
• Texas Parks and Wildlife
Grants

22. The city may begin to annex additional
area at any time.
May annex territory by request of the
property owners or voters.

23. • After the election for mayor,
aldermen and marshal, which will
be held in July.

24.  Are you registered to vote?
 Talk to your neighbors about the election.
 Volunteer to help.
 If you know or encounter a voter who is
undecided or opposed, set up a meeting with
them and CISO so we can answer their
concerns and give them the facts.
 Put up a yard sign, or better still, pay for it!
 Contribute money to Sandy Oaks PAC.
 Sign up with CISO to assist with early Voting.

25. Early Voting: April 28th – May 6th
Election Day: May 10, 2014
Election Site: Waterwood Clubhouse
Visit our website:
www.cityofsandyoaks.info

27. • Those in the SA Limited Purpose Annexation will
have to wait for SA to de-annex them
• Those in the SA ETJ will have to wait for COSO to
request ETJ release
• Those in the SO ETJ will have to wait for COSO to
form to request voluntary annexation
• Requires a petition of landowners