1. Why is the City of Mesquite annexing more land?

There are two primary reasons:

• A significant amount of development is occurring in unincorporated areas of Kaufman County that is not subject to land use control. Annexation provides the City with the opportunity to ensure that the eastern gateway into Mesquite is properly planned and regulated to the benefit of the city.
• The local tax base is maturing. The city currently has about one-fourth of its land area left to be developed, and the majority of that is zoned for residential development. The I-20 corridor holds great potential for commercial and industrial development that will contribute to a healthy tax base in the years ahead.

2. Why is the City annexing now?

The City desires to annex before the area becomes heavily populated. At present the number of residents is still relatively small. However, this area of Kaufman County is experiencing an upsurge in residential development. Waiting to annex will increase the number of persons impacted. Also, decisions regarding the scale and quality of development are made long before construction actually begins. By annexing now, Mesquite can exert more influence over development proposals.

3. Doesn’t the City have to give three years notice in advance of its intent to annex new territory?

No, not in this case. A three-year annexation plan and notice are not required when there are fewer than 100 tracts of land with a residence in the area to be annexed. Texas law makes this exception for annexing sparsely populated areas, such as the area under consideration.

4. What services will new residents receive?

The City will start providing police, fire and other emergency services immediately upon the date of annexation. By law, the City cannot supplant existing contracts that solid waste collection companies have with residents and businesses for at least two years. The City will also provide new capital improvements when necessary to serve the area at the same level as other parts of Mesquite with similar topography, land use and population density. Further details will be included in the Service Plan and become part of the annexation ordinance to be adopted by the City Council.

5. Will annexation cause Mesquite’s taxes to go up for current residents?

The City will not reduce the level of services its citizens currently enjoy in order to provide newly annexed areas with municipal services. The first few years of annexation will have a slight negative impact on the general fund. However, long-range economic development modeling concludes that with proper planning and land use controls, expected development in the proposed annexation area more than pays for the anticipated costs of providing municipal services. This is especially important if taxes are to remain low for everyone. In short, annexation is a smart economic move for Mesquite and will help pay for services for all areas of the city.

6. Is this annexation related to the recent announcement regarding the Trans Texas Corridor route through Kaufman County?

No. The City Council has been evaluating various annexation scenarios in its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) off and on since 1998. The fact that the preferred route for the Trans Texas Corridor sweeps through the ETJ just adds to the potential positive economic impact that the proposed annexation area could have for the city.

7. What impact will annexation have on our schools?

The vast majority of the property under consideration for annexation is already located within the Forney Independent School District. Those residents attending Forney ISD will continue to do so. There will be no impact — positive or negative — on the Mesquite Independent School District.

8. Will the City be annexing more land in the future?

It is not possible to answer that question at this time. Just as with the current annexation proposal, future decisions about additional annexation will be made based on criteria that best serve the interests of the City of Mesquite.