A typo—and an attempted correction—on a Pearland annexation ordinance passed in November drew the attention of Brazoria County District Attorney's office, but the city says it has cleared the confusion and that the incorrect, unedited law will remain on the books.

The error created an opportunity for residents of Annexation Area A to revisit their appeals to the city to reverse its decision at Monday's City Council meeting, saying that it was evidence that the city was in a rush to complete the annexation without due diligence.

"Y'all kept getting it wrong," resident Gerard Hauser told the council during public comments Monday after listing several instances on city communications where the wrong acreage for the annexation was listed.

His wife, Caye Hauser, also spoke, adding: "This is not a typo. It is carelessness in the handling of this annexation."

In a letter dated Feb. 1, district attorney Jeri Yenne advised city officials and councilmembers that, in response to a complaint brought by citizens of Annexation Area A, her office conducted an internal investigation to determine what led to the text of Ordinance 1548 to be changed after it was passed by the council and signed by the mayor.

The original ordinance referred to the annexation area as comprising 885 acres, when in fact it was 895 acres. The correct figure appeared on other public supporting documents, including the agenda for the Nov. 27 meeting in which the vote was taken, city attorney Darrin Coker said.

The city says a staff member made corrections to the ordinance previously executed by the mayor — but prior to it being signed by the city secretary and city attorney. They did not realize they were technically modifying a legal document, city attorney Darrin Coker said.

Editing an official government document would be considered tampering, the DA pointed out. "This is not a minor matter," Yenne writes.

On the DA's recommendation, the city has dropped the edited version. Coker said the city does not believe the typo will jeopardize the ordinance moving forward.

"Altering a document is very serious, and the city appreciates the work of the DA in bringing the accidental error to its attention so the record could be corrected," Coker said.

The Hausers and their neighbors, however, may not be giving up soon.

"We are prepared to go forward and continue to fight this unlawful annexation," Gerard Hauser said.