| An Election for a Limited District |
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**Comments in italics are solely the factual analyses by and opinions of the AMFuture candidates History Since its creation in 1973, Anderson Mill had always been planned for annexation by the City of Austin. The question was how would it be annexed. Through the efforts of our State Representative Mike Krusee, a new law was enacted to allow MUDs and cities to enter into a contract called a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA). This would postpone annexation of an area and on annexation, allow for the creation of a Limited District (LD). The Anderson Mill MUD and the City of Austin signed a SPA in 1998. It postponed annexation until 2004. In 2004, the SPA was amended to postpone annexation until 2008. Ten years is the most an area can be postponed from annexation. It is in the law. Anderson Mill is closing its final tenth year. **AMFuture disagreed with the MUD in insisting on fighting annexation and wrongfully implying to residents that it could be further postponed. The law is clear: ten years is the maximum time allowed. The SPA, a legal contract, follows this. A LD Election In the SPA, upon annexation, a LD will be automatically established. The LD board may ratify the SPA and call an election on whether to make the LD permanent. The first available election date is most likely May 2009. **AMFuture does not oppose holding an election. The entire platform of the AMFuture slate is that resident voters receive all information, pros and cons, in an unbiased fashion about the Limited District so that voters can make an informed decision on Election Day about whether a Limited District is right for them. If approved by voters, the LD will then exist for 10 years. After 10 years, the City of Austin and the LD board may renew it. **Residents will not get to vote on whether to keep the LD for another 10 years. Council member Brewster McCracken told residents in a recent meeting that residents might want to approach city council about the LD at that time. If the voters reject the LD in the first election, a second election must be held within a year of the first. The next available election date is November 2009. The LD will continue in existence between elections. If the LD fails a second time, the LD will dissolve 60 days after the second election date. The City of Austin will assume all the LD’s assets and liabilities and provide all services. |