AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
This bill will serve to annex four separate parcels of land totaling 790 acres into the existing East Aldine Management District (district). The purpose for annexation is to allow and legitimize expenditures by the District into the annexed areas to provide services currently not being provided by the city of Houston or Harris County. Each of the four parcels is located in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston.
The district, in existence for 12 years now, has been providing a myriad of much needed services to the area businesses and residents with revenues collected from a voter authorized one cent sales tax. For example, over the last six years, the district has been constructing a water/waste water collection system in the area to provide those services and allow residents and businesses both to eliminate septic systems that were put in when the area was first developed. Much of the residential area was built utilizing a number of different water districts, in which services were limited to the provision of water, at varying rates. Sanitary sewer services were not readily available to most area residents. To date, the district has connected slightly more than 500 homes to a collection system that has allowed the elimination of septic systems, many of which were old and failing. It is anticipated that an additional 1,500 homes will be connected within two years. Once connected, agreements with the City of Houston for areas east of U.S.-59 and Sun Belt Fresh Water Supply Corporation for areas west of U.S.-59 insure that the sanitary sewer services are provided consistently, with proper maintenance and reasonable service rates.
Like most management districts, the district has also been providing enhanced public safety patrol services through a contract with the Harris County sheriff’s department. To further public safety, the district has constructed sidewalks for safer pedestrian traffic. Major corridors within the district have also been illuminated by agreement with Center Point Energy, whereby the utility puts up lights and the district funds the cost of electricity. The district has an active business recruitment and development program as well with national and international efforts have helped expand business and increase sales tax revenues to the district from $800,000 in its first year to over $6 million in the last fiscal year. The district is also negotiating an agreement with Harris County to bring regular trash collection and heavy trash collection services to the area. Annexation of the four parcels of land will allow the district to extend these life changing services to the annexed areas.
As proposed, S.B. 1897 amends current law relating to the territory of the East Aldine Management District.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Sets forth the boundaries of the territory that is added to the territory of the East Aldine Management District.
SECTION 2. Provides that all requirements of the constitution and the laws of this state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with respect to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act are fulfilled and accomplished.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.