What residents need to know
The first vote, held Dec. 9, was unanimous with little conversation but came after lengthy discussions were held at meetings in November, including at public hearings on Nov. 11 and 18.
If approved Dec. 16, the city will annex the area into its city limits but also assume more than $14.6 million worth of debt from the MUD.
For residents in the MUD, water bills and their tax bills will decrease if annexed, according to city documents.
Other services residents would have include health inspections, planning, permitting and inspections, and in-city member rates at park and recreation facilities, among other services, documents show.
By the numbers
For water bills, residents in the MUD currently pay a rate that is 50% higher than the city of Pearland’s rate, according to a Nov. 11 presentation. They would pay the city’s rate if annexed, resulting in a decrease.
For those in Lakeside Estates, residents could save on average $560 on water and sewer in the first year of annexation, according to city documents. For those in Avalon Terrace, it would be $487.
Across all taxes and fees, documents show residents with a $400,000 home in the area would save anywhere from around $700 to $1,100 each year until 2038, documents show. For those with a home valued at $850,000, that range is from around $500 to $1,200 per year.
In 2039, those savings start to dip, documents show.
What else?
MUD 16 also has approved actions already in motion that the city would take on, according to the Nov. 11 presentation. Those include:
- Pipe replacement in Lakeside Estates detention channel for $158,150
- Asphalt overlay of Lakeside Estate roads for $340,228
- Desolation of the Avalon Terrace detention pond for $51,184
- Relocation of power poles at the Lakeside Estates drainage channel for $7,403
- Avalon Terrace fence replacement and repairs for $200,000
- Pedestrian recreational trail at the Avalon Terrace detention pond for $443,221
The background
MUD 16 was originally formed in 1987 and contains three subdivisions, which are Avalon Terrace 1 and 2, and Lakeside Estates, according to city documents. There are about 568 properties ranging from $350,000 to $950,000 in value. There are an estimated 1,647 residents in the area.
Within the MUD are the Hickory Slough Sportsplex and the future site retail development Asian Town, according to city documents.
In 2003, the city and the district entered into a strategic partnership agreement that called on the city to develop certain facilities, infrastructure and services. That opened the door for the district and city to enter into a full annexation arrangement.
If annexation passes, the MUD would be dissolved, officials said.
Stay tuned
The second vote on the item will come at City Council’s meeting Dec. 16, documents show. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. at Council Chambers, 3519 Liberty Drive, Pearland.
If the item gets a second and final approval, city staff said the annexation, as well as the services that come with it, will go into effect 10 days after it passes.
