With proponents a no-show, Kingsland incorporation meeting creates more questions than answers
KINGSLAND — A packed town-hall meeting to learn about the possible incorporation of Kingsland raised more questions than answers when supporters of the initiative didn’t show up.
Five members of Say Yes! to Kingsland, a group that submitted a petition for incorporation, failed to appear during the session Aug. 23 attended by 290 audience members.
Organizers said they needed the group there to answer inquiries raised by attendees about the latest effort to turn the township into the Highland Lakes’ newest city.
"I’m not sure why they didn’t come," organizer Shelly Comerford told the crowd. "There is nothing we can do about it."
David Comerford said the gathering was held for informational purposes only. Many at the session voiced opposition to the proposal, which could be on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Members of Say Yes! to Kingsland were unavailable for comment Aug. 24.
According to organizers, Mark Chapman, Steve Fraser, Richard Goertz, Mary Hefner and Chuck LaCallade from Say Yes! to Kingsland were asked to talk about the petition.
The Comerfords helped organize and steer the meeting with help from Rhonda Coker.
David Comerford, who cited the Texas Constitution, claimed the Legislature cannot force Kingsland to incorporate.
He said state law gives an incorporated city the right to assess, levy and collect up to $1.50 per $100 of property valuation without voter consent.
The organizers gave attendees printouts of a budget estimated at $1 million, as well as the proposed map for an incorporated Kingsland. They said the materials came from incorporation proponents.
One attendee noted the proposed incorporation map excluded the Royal Oaks subdivision west of RR 1431.
Why?
"I don’t have the answer to that question," Comerford said.
Another audience member noticed the estimated budget includes about $400,000 for police salaries but nothing for firefighters.
Several attendees indicated they want additional information about how incorporation could affect businesses and taxes.
Say Yes! to Kingsland representatives ought to come forward soon, Kingsland Real Estate owner Will Gilliam said.
"I think they need one (another meeting) as soon as possible," he added.
The meeting originally was slated for 6:30 p.m. at the Kingsland Branch Library, but the standing-room only crowd forced organizers to move the gathering to the Kingsland Community Center, 3451 Rose Hill Drive.
Say Yes! to Kingsland recently submitted their petition for incorporation to Llano County Judge Wayne Brascom.
Llano County Elections Office rules say the petition must include at least 50 valid signatures from registered voters in the proposed boundaries for the city before an election is held.
More than 100 signatures were collected.
Possibly, the commissioners may discuss the petition during a meeting on Aug. 29.
The last day commissioners can order a fall election is Sept. 7.
Because a portion of Kingsland is also in Burnet County, any incorporation vote also would have to be included on that ballot, too, officials said.
If Llano County officials order an incorporation election Nov. 8, Burnet County residents in voting precincts 8 and 9 could participate in the election.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Kingsland has more than 6,000 residents. The postal service delivers to more than 3,500 mailboxes. It has no city government, no police force, no public works department, no planning/zoning commission or other municipal services.
Other than the nonprofit Kingsland Municipal Utility District and the Kingsland Water Supply Corp., Llano and Burnet counties provide most services for Kingsland residents.
If Kingsland becomes incorporated, the majority of what the counties provide will be consolidated into programs administered by new city officials.