During its July 9 meeting, Bee Cave City Council began the formal process to annex property in its extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ. ETJ is the unincorporated land within five miles of a city's borders.

The land proposed for annexation includes about 108 acres located north and south of Hwy. 71. The July 9 action is the council's first act to acquire land under the Home Rule Charter adopted in May.

According to the ordinance, city staffers will provide written notice to all property owners in the proposed annexation area, as well as entities which service the area.

Residents that meet certain agricultural, wildlife and timber exemption requirements determined by the Travis County Appraisal District can agree to not be annexed by signing a development agreement with the city.

The city of Bee Cave will host public hearings on Aug. 13 and Aug. 15 to give residents an opportunity to speak about the proposed annexation. The meetings will be at 6 p.m. at Bee Cave City Hall, 4000 Galleria Parkway.

Bee Cave City Manager Frank Salvato will prepare a service plan before the first meeting. Salvato said that the plan will outline who will provide necessary services such as garbage, telephone, water and wastewater to the new area.

"[Hwy. 71] is already being served by our police department since we backup the county [on calls]," Salvato said. "Once it's annexed, we take priority."