Updated 9:09 a.m. CST Oct. 30, 2014

During a special-called council meeting Oct. 29, Cedar Park City Council held the first public hearing about a proposed annexation of 858 acres and 1,400 houses in the Bella Vista and Twin Creeks subdivisions south of Cedar Park.

The first public hearing allowed residents to share feedback about the annexation, though Mayor Matt Powell said no one had signed up to speak. A second public hearing is scheduled for City Council's regular meeting on Nov. 6. City Council plans to hear the first reading for annexation on Dec. 1, then hold a second reading and final vote Dec. 18.

Bella Vista is a municipal utility district that includes about 107 acres. Twin Creeks consists of two water control improvement districts, or WCIDs. Twin Creeks WCID 1F includes about 316 acres and Twin Creeks WCID 1G includes about 435 acres.

Both neighborhoods have distinct districts with utility systems which carry a property tax rate and separate infrastructure debt. The proposed annexation would replace the districts' property tax rates with the city's property tax rate. City staffers plan to offset existing district debts with a monthly utility debt service fee that varies according to each districts' separate debt totals.

Because the districts are outside the city limits, they receive police and fire protection from Travis County Emergency Services District No. 14. ESD No. 14's closest fire station is in Volente, about 5 miles from the neighborhoods, and Cedar Park's closest fire station is on Cypress Creek Road just north of the neighborhoods. Annexation supporters said they want to receive closer fire protection along with city services such as police protection and street maintenance.

During the summer a majority of subdivision residents signed petitions in support of annexation. On Oct. 9, City Council approved a schedule of annexation hearings and votes.

Cedar Park Mayor Matt Powell and Place 1 Councilman Stephen Thomas voiced support for annexation, especially after a cancelled annexation attempt in 2013.

"[The process is] going to be smoother than last time," Thomas said.

This story has been modified from its original version.