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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of the Sterrett Road Municipal Management |
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District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority |
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to impose assessments, fees, and taxes. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 4, Special District Local Laws |
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Code, is amended by adding Chapter 3959 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 3959. STERRETT ROAD MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT DISTRICT |
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SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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Sec. 3959.0001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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(1) "Board" means the district's board of directors. |
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(2) "City" means the City of Waxahachie. |
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(3) "Director" means a board member. |
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(4) "District" means the Sterrett Road Municipal |
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Management District. |
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Sec. 3959.0002. NATURE OF DISTRICT. The Sterrett Road |
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Municipal Management District is a special district created under |
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Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution. |
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Sec. 3959.0003. PURPOSE; DECLARATION OF INTENT. (a) The |
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creation of the district is essential to accomplish the purposes of |
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Sections 52 and 52-a, Article III, and Section 59, Article XVI, |
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Texas Constitution, and other public purposes stated in this |
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chapter. |
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(b) By creating the district and in authorizing the city and |
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other political subdivisions to contract with the district, the |
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legislature has established a program to accomplish the public |
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purposes set out in Section 52-a, Article III, Texas Constitution. |
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(c) The creation of the district is necessary to promote, |
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develop, encourage, and maintain employment, commerce, |
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transportation, housing, tourism, recreation, the arts, |
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entertainment, economic development, safety, and the public |
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welfare in the district. |
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(d) This chapter and the creation of the district may not be |
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interpreted to relieve the city from providing the level of |
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services provided as of the effective date of the Act enacting this |
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chapter to the area in the district. The district is created to |
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supplement and not to supplant city services provided in the |
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district. |
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Sec. 3959.0004. FINDINGS OF BENEFIT AND PUBLIC PURPOSE. |
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(a) All land and other property included in the district will |
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benefit from the improvements and services to be provided by the |
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district under powers conferred by Sections 52 and 52-a, Article |
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III, and Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and other |
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powers granted under this chapter. |
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(b) The district is created to serve a public use and |
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benefit. |
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(c) The creation of the district is in the public interest |
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and is essential to further the public purposes of: |
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(1) developing and diversifying the economy of the |
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state; |
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(2) eliminating unemployment and underemployment; and |
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(3) developing or expanding transportation and |
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commerce. |
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(d) The district will: |
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(1) promote the health, safety, and general welfare of |
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residents, employers, potential employees, employees, visitors, |
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and consumers in the district, and of the public; |
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(2) provide needed funding for the district to |
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preserve, maintain, and enhance the economic health and vitality of |
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the district territory as a community and business center; |
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(3) promote the health, safety, welfare, and enjoyment |
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of the public by providing pedestrian ways and by landscaping and |
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developing certain areas in the district, which are necessary for |
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the restoration, preservation, and enhancement of scenic beauty; |
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and |
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(4) provide for water, wastewater, drainage, road, and |
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recreational facilities for the district. |
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(e) Pedestrian ways along or across a street, whether at |
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grade or above or below the surface, and street lighting, street |
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landscaping, parking, and street art objects are parts of and |
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necessary components of a street and are considered to be a street |
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or road improvement. |
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(f) The district will not act as the agent or |
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instrumentality of any private interest even though the district |
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will benefit many private interests as well as the public. |
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Sec. 3959.0005. INITIAL DISTRICT TERRITORY. (a) The |
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district is initially composed of the territory described by |
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Section 2 of the Act enacting this chapter. |
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(b) The boundaries and field notes contained in Section 2 of |
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the Act enacting this chapter form a closure. A mistake in the |
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field notes or in copying the field notes in the legislative process |
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does not affect the district's: |
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(1) organization, existence, or validity; |
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(2) right to issue any type of bonds for the purposes |
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for which the district is created or to pay the principal of and |
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interest on the bonds; |
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(3) right to impose or collect an assessment or tax; or |
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(4) legality or operation. |
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Sec. 3959.0006. ELIGIBILITY FOR INCLUSION IN SPECIAL ZONES. |
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All or any part of the area of the district is eligible to be |
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included in: |
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(1) a tax increment reinvestment zone created under |
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Chapter 311, Tax Code; or |
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(2) a tax abatement reinvestment zone created under |
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Chapter 312, Tax Code. |
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Sec. 3959.0007. APPLICABILITY OF MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT |
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DISTRICTS LAW. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, |
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Chapter 375, Local Government Code, applies to the district. |
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Sec. 3959.0008. CONSTRUCTION OF CHAPTER. This chapter |
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shall be liberally construed in conformity with the findings and |
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purposes stated in this chapter. |
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SUBCHAPTER B. BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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Sec. 3959.0051. GOVERNING BODY; TERMS. (a) The district is |
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governed by a board of five elected directors who serve staggered |
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terms of four years. |
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(b) Directors are elected in the manner provided by |
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Subchapter D, Chapter 49, Water Code. |
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Sec. 3959.0052. COMPENSATION; EXPENSES. (a) The district |
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may compensate each director in an amount not to exceed $150 for |
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each board meeting. The total amount of compensation for each |
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director in one year may not exceed $7,200. |
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(b) A director is entitled to reimbursement for necessary |
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and reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out the duties and |
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responsibilities of the board. |
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Sec. 3959.0053. INITIAL DIRECTORS. (a) The initial board |
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consists of the following directors: |
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Pos. No. |
Name of Director |
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(b) Of the initial directors, the terms of directors |
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appointed for positions one through three expire June 1, 2023, and |
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the terms of directors appointed for positions four and five expire |
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June 1, 2025. |
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SUBCHAPTER C. POWERS AND DUTIES |
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Sec. 3959.0101. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. The district |
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has the powers and duties necessary to accomplish the purposes for |
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which the district is created. |
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Sec. 3959.0102. IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND SERVICES. (a) |
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The district, using any money available to the district for the |
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purpose, may provide, design, construct, acquire, improve, |
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relocate, operate, maintain, or finance an improvement project or |
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service authorized under this chapter or Chapter 375, Local |
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Government Code. |
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(b) The district may contract with a governmental or private |
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entity to carry out an action under Subsection (a). |
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(c) The implementation of a district project or service is a |
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governmental function or service for the purposes of Chapter 791, |
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Government Code. |
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Sec. 3959.0103. NONPROFIT CORPORATION. (a) The board by |
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resolution may authorize the creation of a nonprofit corporation to |
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assist and act for the district in implementing a project or |
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providing a service authorized by this chapter. |
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(b) The nonprofit corporation: |
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(1) has each power of and is considered to be a local |
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government corporation created under Subchapter D, Chapter 431, |
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Transportation Code; and |
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(2) may implement any project and provide any service |
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authorized by this chapter. |
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(c) The board shall appoint the board of directors of the |
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nonprofit corporation. The board of directors of the nonprofit |
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corporation shall serve in the same manner as the board of directors |
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of a local government corporation created under Subchapter D, |
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Chapter 431, Transportation Code, except that a board member is not |
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required to reside in the district. |
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Sec. 3959.0104. LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES. To protect the |
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public interest, the district may contract with the city to provide |
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additional law enforcement services in the district for a fee. |
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Sec. 3959.0105. MEMBERSHIP IN CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. |
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The district may join and pay dues to a charitable or nonprofit |
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organization that performs a service or provides an activity |
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consistent with the furtherance of a district purpose. |
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Sec. 3959.0106. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. (a) The |
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district may engage in activities that accomplish the economic |
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development purposes of the district. |
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(b) The district may establish and provide for the |
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administration of one or more programs to promote state or local |
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economic development and to stimulate business and commercial |
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activity in the district, including programs to: |
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(1) make loans and grants of public money; and |
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(2) provide district personnel and services. |
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(c) The district may create economic development programs |
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and exercise the economic development powers provided to |
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municipalities by: |
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(1) Chapter 380, Local Government Code; and |
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(2) Subchapter A, Chapter 1509, Government Code. |
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Sec. 3959.0107. PARKING FACILITIES. (a) The district may |
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acquire, lease as lessor or lessee, construct, develop, own, |
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operate, and maintain parking facilities or a system of parking |
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facilities, including lots, garages, parking terminals, or other |
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structures or accommodations for parking motor vehicles off the |
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streets and related appurtenances. |
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(b) The district's parking facilities serve the public |
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purposes of the district and are owned, used, and held for a public |
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purpose even if leased or operated by a private entity for a term of |
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years. |
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(c) The district's parking facilities are parts of and |
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necessary components of a street and are considered to be a street |
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or road improvement. |
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(d) The development and operation of the district's parking |
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facilities may be considered an economic development program. |
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Sec. 3959.0108. ADDING OR EXCLUDING LAND. The district may |
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add or exclude land in the manner provided by Subchapter J, Chapter |
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49, Water Code, or by Subchapter H, Chapter 54, Water Code. |
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Sec. 3959.0109. DISBURSEMENTS AND TRANSFERS OF MONEY. The |
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board by resolution shall establish the number of directors' |
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signatures and the procedure required for a disbursement or |
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transfer of district money. |
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Sec. 3959.0110. DIVISION OF DISTRICT. (a) The district may |
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be divided into two or more new districts only if the district: |
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(1) has no outstanding bonded debt; and |
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(2) is not imposing ad valorem taxes. |
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(b) This chapter applies to any new district created by the |
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division of the district, and a new district has all the powers and |
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duties of the district. |
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(c) Any new district created by the division of the district |
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may not, at the time the new district is created, contain any land |
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outside the area described by Section 2 of the Act enacting this |
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chapter. |
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(d) The board, on its own motion or on receipt of a petition |
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signed by the owner or owners of a majority of the assessed value of |
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the real property in the district, may adopt an order dividing the |
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district. |
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(e) An order dividing the district must: |
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(1) name each new district; |
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(2) include the metes and bounds description of the |
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territory of each new district; |
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(3) appoint initial directors for each new district; |
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and |
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(4) provide for the division of assets and liabilities |
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between or among the new districts. |
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(f) On or before the 30th day after the date of adoption of |
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an order dividing the district, the district shall file the order |
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with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and record the |
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order in the real property records of each county in which the |
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district is located. |
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(g) Any new district created by the division of the district |
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must hold an election as required by this chapter to obtain voter |
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approval before the district may impose a maintenance tax or issue |
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bonds payable wholly or partly from ad valorem taxes. |
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(h) Municipal consent to the creation of the district and to |
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the inclusion of land in the district granted under Section |
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3959.0206 acts as municipal consent to the creation of any new |
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district created by the division of the district and to the |
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inclusion of land in the new district. |
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SUBCHAPTER D. ASSESSMENTS |
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Sec. 3959.0151. PETITION REQUIRED FOR FINANCING SERVICES |
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AND IMPROVEMENTS WITH ASSESSMENTS. (a) The board may not finance a |
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service or improvement project with assessments under this chapter |
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unless a written petition requesting that service or improvement |
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has been filed with the board. |
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(b) A petition filed under Subsection (a) must be signed by |
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the owners of a majority of the assessed value of real property in |
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the district subject to assessment according to the most recent |
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certified tax appraisal roll for the county. |
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Sec. 3959.0152. ASSESSMENTS; LIENS FOR ASSESSMENTS. (a) |
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The board by resolution may impose and collect an assessment for any |
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purpose authorized by this chapter in all or any part of the |
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district. |
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(b) An assessment, a reassessment, or an assessment |
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resulting from an addition to or correction of the assessment roll |
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by the district, penalties and interest on an assessment or |
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reassessment, an expense of collection, and reasonable attorney's |
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fees incurred by the district: |
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(1) are a first and prior lien against the property |
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assessed; |
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(2) are superior to any other lien or claim other than |
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a lien or claim for county, school district, or municipal ad valorem |
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taxes; and |
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(3) are the personal liability of and a charge against |
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the owners of the property even if the owners are not named in the |
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assessment proceedings. |
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(c) The lien is effective from the date of the board's |
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resolution imposing the assessment until the date the assessment is |
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paid. The board may enforce the lien in the same manner that the |
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board may enforce an ad valorem tax lien against real property. |
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(d) The board may make a correction to or deletion from the |
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assessment roll that does not increase the amount of assessment of |
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any parcel of land without providing notice and holding a hearing in |
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the manner required for additional assessments. |
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Sec. 3959.0153. CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY NOT EXEMPT. |
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Section 375.161, Local Government Code, does not apply to the |
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district. |
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SUBCHAPTER E. TAXES AND BONDS |
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Sec. 3959.0201. TAX ELECTION REQUIRED. (a) The district |
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must hold an election in the manner provided by Chapter 49, Water |
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Code, or, if applicable, Chapter 375, Local Government Code, to |
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obtain voter approval before the district may impose an ad valorem |
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tax. |
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(b) Section 375.243, Local Government Code, does not apply |
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to the district. |
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Sec. 3959.0202. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE TAX. (a) If |
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authorized by a majority of the district voters voting at an |
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election under Section 3959.0201, the district may impose an |
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operation and maintenance tax on taxable property in the district |
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in the manner provided by Section 49.107, Water Code, for any |
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district purpose, including to: |
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(1) maintain and operate the district; |
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(2) construct or acquire improvements; or |
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(3) provide a service. |
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(b) The board shall determine the operation and maintenance |
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tax rate. The rate may not exceed the rate approved at the |
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election. |
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Sec. 3959.0203. AUTHORITY TO BORROW MONEY AND TO ISSUE |
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BONDS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS. (a) The district may borrow money on |
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terms determined by the board. |
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(b) The district may issue, by public or private sale, |
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bonds, notes, or other obligations payable wholly or partly from ad |
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valorem taxes, assessments, impact fees, revenue, contract |
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payments, grants, or other district money, or any combination of |
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those sources of money, to pay for any authorized district purpose. |
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(c) The limitation on the outstanding principal amount of |
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bonds, notes, or other obligations provided by Section 49.4645, |
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Water Code, does not apply to the district. |
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Sec. 3959.0204. BONDS SECURED BY REVENUE OR CONTRACT |
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PAYMENTS. The district may issue, without an election, bonds |
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secured by: |
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(1) revenue other than ad valorem taxes; |
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(2) contract payments, provided that the requirements |
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of Section 49.108, Water Code, have been met; or |
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(3) other contract revenues. |
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Sec. 3959.0205. BONDS SECURED BY AD VALOREM TAXES; |
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ELECTIONS. (a) If authorized at an election under Section |
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3959.0201, the district may issue bonds payable from ad valorem |
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taxes. |
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(b) At the time the district issues bonds payable wholly or |
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partly from ad valorem taxes, the board shall provide for the annual |
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imposition of a continuing direct annual ad valorem tax, without |
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limit as to rate or amount, for each year that all or part of the |
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bonds are outstanding as required and in the manner provided by |
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Sections 54.601 and 54.602, Water Code. |
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(c) All or any part of any facilities or improvements that |
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may be acquired by a district by the issuance of its bonds may be |
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submitted as a single proposition or as several propositions to be |
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voted on at the election. |
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Sec. 3959.0206. CONSENT OF MUNICIPALITY REQUIRED. (a) The |
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board may not issue bonds until each municipality in whose |
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corporate limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction the district is |
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located has consented by ordinance or resolution to the creation of |
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the district and to the inclusion of land in the district. |
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(b) This section applies only to the district's first |
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issuance of bonds payable from ad valorem taxes. |
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SUBCHAPTER Z. DISSOLUTION |
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Sec. 3959.0901. DISSOLUTION. (a) The board shall dissolve |
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the district on written petition filed with the board by the owners |
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of: |
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(1) 66 percent or more of the assessed value subject to |
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assessment by the district of the property in the district based on |
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the most recent certified county property tax rolls; or |
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(2) 66 percent or more of the surface area of the |
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district, excluding roads, streets, highways, utility |
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rights-of-way, other public areas, and other property exempt from |
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assessment by the district according to the most recent certified |
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county property tax rolls. |
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(b) The district may not be dissolved if the district: |
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(1) has any outstanding bonded or other indebtedness |
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until that bonded or other indebtedness has been repaid or defeased |
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in accordance with the order or resolution authorizing the issuance |
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of the bonded or other indebtedness; |
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(2) has a contractual obligation to pay money until |
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that obligation has been fully paid in accordance with the |
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contract; or |
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(3) owns, operates, or maintains public works, |
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facilities, or improvements unless the district has contracted with |
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another party for the ownership and operation or maintenance of the |
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public works, facilities, or improvements. |
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(c) Section 375.262, Local Government Code, does not apply |
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to the district. |
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SECTION 2. The Sterrett Road Municipal Management District |
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initially includes all territory contained in the following area: |
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Being a parcel of land located in Ellis County, Texas, a part of the |
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a part of the Clement Goar Survey, Abstract Number 401, a part of |
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the Carter H. Hurst Survey, Abstract Number 456, and being all of |
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that called 124.27 acre tract of land described in deed to Futex |
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Property Company No. 112, LLC as recorded in Instrument Number |
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1801007, Official Public Records of Ellis County, Texas, and being |
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all of that called 101.19 acre tract of land described in deed to |
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James R. Pitts, Trustee as recorded in Instrument Number 1723473, |
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Official Public Records of Ellis County, Texas, and also being all |
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of that called 360.00 acre tract of land described in deed to Fuscom |
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Property Company No. 2, LLC as recorded in Instrument Number |
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1800404, Official Public Records of Ellis County, Texas, and being |
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further described as follows: |
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BEGINNING at a point at the southwest corner of said 124.27 acre |
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tract, said point also being at the approximate centerline |
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intersection of West Sterrett Road and Patrick Road; |
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THENCE North 00 degrees 02 minutes 30 seconds West, 4,252.90 feet to |
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a point for corner, said point being the most westerly northwest |
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corner of said 360.00 acre tract, said point also being in Patrick |
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Road; |
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THENCE along the north line of said 360.00 acre tract as follows: |
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North 88 degrees 02 minutes 21 seconds East, 2,227.21 feet to |
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a point for corner; |
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North 03 degrees 02 minutes 39 seconds West, 972.62 feet to a |
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point for corner; |
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North 89 degrees 51 minutes 38 seconds East, 459.17 feet to a |
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point for corner; |
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North 02 degrees 01 minutes 41 seconds West, 296.17 feet to a |
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point for corner; |
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North 89 degrees 01 minutes 02 seconds East, 1,306.16 feet to |
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a point for corner; |
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North 88 degrees 37 minutes 03 seconds East, 453.09 feet to a |
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point for corner; |
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South 01 degrees 18 minutes 19 seconds East, 437.73 feet to a |
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point for corner; |
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North 89 degrees 09 minutes 41 seconds East, 850.07 feet to a |
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point for corner, said point being the northeast corner of said |
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360.00 acre tract; |
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THENCE along the east line of said 360.00 acre tract as follows: |
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South 00 degrees 57 minutes 39 seconds East, 1,694.38 feet to |
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a point for corner; |
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South 01 degrees 25 minutes 02 seconds East, 1,620.58 feet to |
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a point for corner, said point being the southeast corner of said |
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360.00 acre tract, said point also being the northeast corner of |
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said 101.19 acre tract; |
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THENCE South 00 degrees 37 minutes 32 seconds East, 1,625.00 feet to |
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the southeast corner of said 101.19 acre tract, said point also |
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being in West Sterrett Road; |
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THENCE North 89 degrees 19 minutes 15 seconds West, 2,693.70 feet to |
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a point for corner, said point being the southwest corner of said |
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101.19 acre tract, said point also being in the east line of said |
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124.27 acre tract, said point also being in West Sterrett Road; |
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THENCE South 01 degrees 22 minutes 01 seconds East, 294.05 feet to a |
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point for corner, said point being the southeast corner of said |
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124.27 acre tract, said point also being in West Sterrett Road; |
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THENCE South 89 degrees 54 minutes 12 seconds West, 2,638.73 feet |
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along the south line of said 124.27 acre tract to the POINT OF |
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BEGINNING and containing 25,506,220 square feet or 585.542 acres of |
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land. |
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Bearings are based on the west line of that called 124.27 acre tract |
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of land described in deed to Futex Property Company No. 112, LLC as |
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recorded in Instrument Number 1801007, Official Public Records of |
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Ellis County, Texas. |
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SECTION 3. (a) The legal notice of the intention to |
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introduce this Act, setting forth the general substance of this |
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Act, has been published as provided by law, and the notice and a |
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copy of this Act have been furnished to all persons, agencies, |
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officials, or entities to which they are required to be furnished |
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under Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and Chapter 313, |
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Government Code. |
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(b) The governor, one of the required recipients, has |
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submitted the notice and Act to the Texas Commission on |
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Environmental Quality. |
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(c) The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has filed |
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its recommendations relating to this Act with the governor, |
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lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives |
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within the required time. |
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(d) All requirements of the constitution and laws of this |
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state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with respect |
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to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act have been |
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fulfilled and accomplished. |
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SECTION 4. (a) Section 3959.0110, Special District Local |
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Laws Code, as added by Section 1 of this Act, takes effect only if |
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this Act receives a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to |
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each house. |
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(b) If this Act does not receive a two-thirds vote of all the |
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members elected to each house, Subchapter C, Chapter 3959, Special |
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District Local Laws Code, as added by Section 1 of this Act, is |
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amended by adding Section 3959.0110 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 3959.0110. NO EMINENT DOMAIN POWER. The district may |
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not exercise the power of eminent domain. |
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(c) This section is not intended to be an expression of a |
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legislative interpretation of the requirements of Section 17(c), |
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Article I, Texas Constitution. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 4584 was passed by the House on May |
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14, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 104, Nays 41, 2 present, not |
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voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
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No. 4584 on May 28, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 104, Nays 39, |
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1 present, not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 4584 was passed by the Senate, with |
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amendments, on May 26, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays |
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0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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Governor |