Allegations against Mayor John Cowman sent to ethics commission

The Leander City Council referred a list of allegations against Mayor John Cowman to the city's ethics commission at the April 5 meeting.

Among the issues raised at the meeting were claims that Cowman used a city-issued cell phone for campaigning purposes, alleged open meetings violations and accusations Cowman was reimbursed personally by Capital Metro for mileage incurred on a city vehicle during his tenure as a Capital Metro board member. Cowman said he would welcome the opportunity to defend himself in front of the ethics commission.

City close to annexing 1,800 acres

The Leander City Council will decide May 3 whether to annex 1,831 acres of land on the east side of town near the intersection of FM 1431 and Nameless Road. The area is slated for neighborhood development and a master planned community similar to the Crystal Falls Parkway subdivision.

City Manager Kent Cagle said along with 3,000 single-family luxury homes—some priced at more than $1 million—the land could include a small multifamily development. Cagle said he expects the area to bring about $1.2 billion of value to the city throughout the next 20 years.

The city held its first public hearing regarding the annexation March 29.