Fighting annexation

"No taxation without representation!" America's oldest cry for justice and equality was echoed Tuesday in College Station's City Council meeting as a coalition of people living beyond the city line of College Station spoke out against powers not representing them.

The city council proposed the annexation of six areas bordering the city limits. Opponents claimed that they would gain no benefits from the annexation and would be forced to pay taxes they cannot afford.

As a member of the city council muttered under his breath to his comrades, "Ready to rock and roll?" the meeting began.

Assistant Planning Manager Lance Simms started with machine-like efficiency, a presentation of reasons for annexation, which he said he had been developing for more than a year and a half.

Securing the tax base and recovering costs to serve extra-territorial jurisdiction residents topped the list of reasons for annexation. Other reasons included growth management, "asserting zoning authority over an uncertain legislative environment," and public health and safety.

Simms said that because people who live on the outskirts of town use roads and other public services in College Station, they should be annexed into the town, meaning they would pay taxes on those public services. If these areas are annexed, the residents will face changes in taxes and zoning and regulation laws.

Opponents of the annexation collectively cried foul. Several said that they do fine without relying on College Station services, and many said that annexation would mean paying a tax on services they already get from other sources. One of the most repeated complaints was that the city council wanted to annex people it does not represent purely for the sake of increased tax revenue.

One opponent, invoking the spirit of the Declaration of Independence, quoted the words "We the People," as he expressed his opinion that the people in question were not being represented in the decision process. He said that the city had no plans to provide its services to people being annexed, which would be against state law. He said the lack of such services was "illegal and robbery."

Many opponents of annexation spoke from the heart of the hardships annexation would put on them.

"Less than 30 years ago, I lifted my hand to pledge an oath to defend the U.S. and possibly die for this country," said Wilson, a man who lives in a zone under consideration for annexation and is the father of two Texas A&M students.

"Sept. 13, 2001, I was activated," he said. "While away, my wife and I bought a home that was [large] enough for us outside of town where we could live. I don't appreciate being overseas; while at home, a faction worked to take my property and reach into my pockets. I ask - beg - from the bottom of my heart that each of you rethink [annexing my home.]"

Briana Morrison, a Texas A&M senior majoring in landscape architecture, said she moved to College Station 11 years ago and feared her family would lose their home with the imposed tax burden.

"My parents both work full-time at Texas A&M, and they are looking for second jobs. My dad is a 50-year-old man looking for a second job," Morrison said with tears in her eyes. "Please, consider the people who live here."

A majority of the opposition was made up of individuals living on fixed incomes who said that in this time of recession, they would be forced out of their homes by the taxes if annexed. The tax-rate would be 43.94 cents for every $100 of assessed property. The owner of a $100,000 home, for example, would have to pay $439.

In contrast to the city report, which was prepared for more than a year and a half, the potential residents of College Station said the earliest they had heard of the plans was Dec. 20. Many of them requested the city put an extension on its deadline for a decision to allow time for further research regarding the annexation.

The council's calendar shows that it will make a decision on the annexation Feb. 28, with a workshop meeting on the proposition Feb. 14.

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