Lake Marble Falls subdivision, city treading rocky road on extension of waterlines
FROM STAFF REPORTS
MARBLE FALLS — When the city of Marble Falls annexed the Rocky Road area and Lake Marble Falls subdivision about six years ago to pave the way to annexing the Flat Creek area south of town, the residents didn’t oppose the idea because they thought it would bring additional services and improvements for them and their properties.
Now, with the city considering charging the Rocky Road and Lake Marble Falls subdivision property owners an additional $160 per month per parcel for the next two decades for those improvements, the affected residents feel like they’re between a rock and a hard place.
Patricia Scharlinger, a resident on Rocky Road who owns several parcels, said when the city approached residents in 2008 about annexing the area, officials told them the infrastructure improvements would be at no additional costs to those residents other than the regular property taxes and fees.
“In 2008, they sent a letter to every one of the property owners and stated they were going to provide the area with certain services,” she said, referring to law enforcement and fire services but also water/wastewater and roads. While the city has provided the fire and police services, Scharinger pointed out it’s been six years since annexation, and the city hasn’t extended water and wastewater lines or tackled the road issue in that time.
During a recent meeting with city officials, residents learned they might have to help foot the bill for extending water and wastewater lines. The city estimated extending water lines only through the affected area would cost about $2.2 million.
The total cost of all improvements, including the road upgrades and wastewater lines, would run about $5.2 million.
“That’s a pretty expensive infrastructure project,” Marble Falls city manager Mike Hodge said. As for the waterline extension, he noted the 2.8 miles wouldn’t be easy. “It’s all in rock, so it’s going to be expensive to put in.”
One option city officials proposed to the residents was to split the cost of the waterline project between the city and residents. Hodge, who wasn’t the city manager during the annexation process, said he understands the cost could be prohibitive to property owners, and the staff is seeking grants to help with the project.
Scharlinger isn’t happy about sharing any costs with the city. She contends that under the annexation process, the city said it would provide the infrastructure improvements such as the extended waterlines at the city’s expense. She pointed out a letter mailed to residents during the annexation process that includes the services. She also noted the plan presented in 2008 stated the city would extend the water distribution lines to the newly annexed property within 30 months after annexation.
It’s been six years since annexation, she said, and those services the city promised haven’t been delivered. And now to get them, residents might have to incur more monthly expenses, Scharlinger said.
Under the current idea on the table, property owners would pay $160 per month per parcel to get the water lines extended to their property boundaries. Scharlinger said wastewater infrastructure would cost another $100 per month. She noted many of the residents just don’t have that extra money to sink into the city’s coffers for what she believes is the duty of the city.
Hodge said he understands residents’ concerns. He pointed out the city has started road improvements in the area.
As for the city shouldering the complete cost of extending waterlines and other infrastructure, Hodge said that might not be the case in this situation.
Scharlinger, however, believes it’s not just the city’s responsibility but one laid out by state law in regard to annexations.
During the initial meeting between residents and city staff, Hodge asked the property owners to come up with a counter proposal.
On Sept. 16, Hodge will update the city council on the situation. In the end, the city manager noted, the city council will decide how to proceed.
The Marble Falls City Council meets at 6 p.m. Sept. 16 in the council chambers, 800 Third St. in Marble Falls.
editor@thepicayune.com
3 thoughts on “Lake Marble Falls subdivision, city treading rocky road on extension of waterlines”
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There is No Rocky Road area & Lake marble Falls subdivision. It is and always has been called the Lake Marble Falls subdivision..Oh and this roadway work they are just now doing is nothing more then covering their rear ends and making it look as though they are doing what they are supposed to do so they do not get sued. Plus it comes right after the Los Escondidos situation which caused the stir with the LMF residents when they were refered to as VICTIMS. Which they were and have been.The whole annexation was not for their benefit. It was so the developers of Flatrock could have their connection to the city. The city never wanted the LMF they only Needed them.. With that said and IMO I agree they were Victims..
Typical government stuff. We want to take it over, charge you more, regulate you more and control you more. Oh by the way, there is nothing you can do about it…..
Here is a fast easy proposal.Just De Annex the area.Its that simple really. And State Law clearly states the owners DO NOT have to pay anything extra and do not have to share the costs. One thing city officials stated was that They have a long term intent of looping the water and waste water lines from 281 to 2147 for starters and then connecting through the proposed Flatrock development which has yet to see daylight or have one home built.. So here you have a case where the City wants something they need and desire yet have the audacity of trying to Force an involuntarily annexed area to help them foot the bill for their wish list while trying to trick them into it… And as far as the council getting to decide; Its the residents who will have the final say in what happens.Whether it be by petition to de annex or a court order to do so. Either way this is a very BIG ticket item for them to swallow.