Residents in a handful of areas around Austin's outer limits could vote to remove those places from the city this spring, just a few years after they were first annexed.

The background

Last year, Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 3053 requiring certain large cities to hold disannexation elections for some areas that were recently added into their city limits.

The new law specifically targets only to cities with 500,000 residents or more—including Austin—and applies to populated areas that were annexed by a city between March 3, 2015 and Dec. 1, 2017.

In Austin, there are six such places totaling more than 1,100 acres, or just under 2 square miles. Their voters will face elections over either remaining in or withdrawing from Austin on May 4.

Some public services and city fees in those areas would change if they vote to leave Austin. Additionally, remaining Austin taxpayers will be affected if any areas vote for removal.

"[Disannexations] will marginally increase the property tax burden on all other property taxpayers due to the same total revenue being raised from a slightly smaller tax base," city staff said.

What's happening

On Feb. 1, City Council formally called six disannexation elections for each of the relevant locations. They include:

• 738 acres of the Lost Creek community and 212 acres covering several parcels at River Place in West Austin
• 104 acres of land comprising the "Wildhorse/Webb Tract" and 28 acres of land off Blue Goose Road in Northeast Austin
• The more than 40-acre Lennar at Malone development and 4 acres of property off Menchaca Road in South Austin

If an area's residents vote to disannex, Austin-Travis County EMS services would continue there while Travis County services would replace city police and fire response.

Residents would also have to pay Austin taxes until local shares of city debt are paid off, which in most areas would take an estimated two years, but they would not face other city fees.

HB 3053's passage followed similar, failed attempts to allow areas including Lost Creek and River Place to exit Austin's full-purpose jurisdiction in past legislative sessions.

Looking ahead

With the election formally called, voters in the six relevant areas will decide their disannexation ballot items in the May 4 election. City staff estimate the cost of holding the additional elections could run between $200,000 and $250,000.

Each area's ballot proposition language and related information can be viewed in the city election ordinance passed Feb. 1.

Voting and election information is available from the county online.