Conroe Courier - News
N. County residents react to city of Willis annexation plans
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By Elliott Cochran
WILLIS – A public hearing to discuss targeted areas of annexation for the city of Willis drew residents into City Hall Tuesday evening to express concerns and questions about their future in the growing city.
Approximately 20 incoming city residents living within annexation areas in north Montgomery County posed questions about water services, regulations and taxes to the Willis City Council.
Thomas Chatman has lived on the outskirts of Willis since 1969, and said the increase he will see in his taxes might drive him out of the newly established city limits sooner rather than later.
“There are senior citizens and people who are poor that can’t afford to pay three times the amount of taxes. All that you are asking us to pay is more, more, more,” he said. “We get no benefits from joining the city of Willis, and you’ve put us in a spot where we’re literally trying to get out of it.”
Chatman said he was paying approximately $300 to $400 a month in taxes through a homestead agreement with the county, but said he will see a dramatic increase through the city’s tax rate of 53 cents per $100, which he estimates will push him into thousands of dollars in taxes monthly.
Owners of a $100,000 home in Willis will pay approximately $530 under the city’s current property tax rate.
City Manager Jim McAlister said over the past five years the city has seen no increase in taxes, but one decrease, and cities must makes changes and expand city boundaries in order to control their destinies.
“Cities today are like corporations, and in order to survive you have to grow,” he said. “It’s a fact that if you are located near a growing city, you’re going to be annexed; these lands will either be annexed by Willis or Conroe.”
The city plans to annex three parcels of land consisting of 579 acres, stretching along the city’s border to the north and west.
The annexation plan targets a 127-acre strip on the west feeder road of Interstate 45, a 184-acre tract in the north-central portion of the city alongside the railroad tracks, as well as a 268-acre strip that touches Rogers Road, stretching to the northwest.
McAlister said 1,786 residential and commercial utility accounts exist throughout the city, with the bulk of accounts existing within the city limits.
Annexation plans became a reality in May when the Home Rule Charter was passed by Willis residents, enabling the city to annex 10 percent of the city’s 1,900-acre landmass annually, with an increase of 10 percent per year.
Other residents voiced concerned about being absorbed into the city and sacrificing the independence of living outside of the city limits.
Mike Davis, owner of True Value Hardware in Willis, owns 10 acres of property on Rogers Road, and said he attempted to escape city living but fears what could happen in months to come.
“I moved here from The Woodlands a couple of years ago because I wanted to live out in the country,” he said. “I just finished building my house and I’m afraid of what the city will bring in terms of clientele to my residence.”
Davis said he spent $17,000 on a water well and sewage system from his home, and does not plan on receiving city systems.
Under state law, McAlister said, the city is required to provide water and sewer services within the next four years, which will improve the lives of incoming residents by setting a standard of living.
New residents to the city will begin paying city taxes on Jan. 1, 2009.
A joint meeting between the Willis City Council and the Willis Planning Commission to discuss zoning of land targeted by the city’s annexation plan will be at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 10 at City Hall, located at 200 N. Bell Street.
Joint Meeting
A joint meeting between the Willis City Council and the Willis Planning Commission to discuss zoning of land targeted by the city’s annexation plan will be at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 10 at City Hall, located at 200 N. Bell Street.
Approximately 20 incoming city residents living within annexation areas in north Montgomery County posed questions about water services, regulations and taxes to the Willis City Council.
Thomas Chatman has lived on the outskirts of Willis since 1969, and said the increase he will see in his taxes might drive him out of the newly established city limits sooner rather than later.
“There are senior citizens and people who are poor that can’t afford to pay three times the amount of taxes. All that you are asking us to pay is more, more, more,” he said. “We get no benefits from joining the city of Willis, and you’ve put us in a spot where we’re literally trying to get out of it.”
Chatman said he was paying approximately $300 to $400 a month in taxes through a homestead agreement with the county, but said he will see a dramatic increase through the city’s tax rate of 53 cents per $100, which he estimates will push him into thousands of dollars in taxes monthly.
Owners of a $100,000 home in Willis will pay approximately $530 under the city’s current property tax rate.
City Manager Jim McAlister said over the past five years the city has seen no increase in taxes, but one decrease, and cities must makes changes and expand city boundaries in order to control their destinies.
“Cities today are like corporations, and in order to survive you have to grow,” he said. “It’s a fact that if you are located near a growing city, you’re going to be annexed; these lands will either be annexed by Willis or Conroe.”
The city plans to annex three parcels of land consisting of 579 acres, stretching along the city’s border to the north and west.
The annexation plan targets a 127-acre strip on the west feeder road of Interstate 45, a 184-acre tract in the north-central portion of the city alongside the railroad tracks, as well as a 268-acre strip that touches Rogers Road, stretching to the northwest.
McAlister said 1,786 residential and commercial utility accounts exist throughout the city, with the bulk of accounts existing within the city limits.
Annexation plans became a reality in May when the Home Rule Charter was passed by Willis residents, enabling the city to annex 10 percent of the city’s 1,900-acre landmass annually, with an increase of 10 percent per year.
Other residents voiced concerned about being absorbed into the city and sacrificing the independence of living outside of the city limits.
Mike Davis, owner of True Value Hardware in Willis, owns 10 acres of property on Rogers Road, and said he attempted to escape city living but fears what could happen in months to come.
“I moved here from The Woodlands a couple of years ago because I wanted to live out in the country,” he said. “I just finished building my house and I’m afraid of what the city will bring in terms of clientele to my residence.”
Davis said he spent $17,000 on a water well and sewage system from his home, and does not plan on receiving city systems.
Under state law, McAlister said, the city is required to provide water and sewer services within the next four years, which will improve the lives of incoming residents by setting a standard of living.
New residents to the city will begin paying city taxes on Jan. 1, 2009.
A joint meeting between the Willis City Council and the Willis Planning Commission to discuss zoning of land targeted by the city’s annexation plan will be at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 10 at City Hall, located at 200 N. Bell Street.
Joint Meeting
A joint meeting between the Willis City Council and the Willis Planning Commission to discuss zoning of land targeted by the city’s annexation plan will be at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 10 at City Hall, located at 200 N. Bell Street.
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