Divided opinions over unification

Divided opinions over unification

Written by Mandy Hobby Saturday, 07 October 2006

Conversations, blogs, council presentations consider possible merger

What began as a conversation over coffee has turned into recurring discussions in city council meetings and computer blog postings. The topic of discussion: Cedar Park and Leander consolidating forces to become one city.

No formal committees have formed and no action has been taken on either side of the idea, but a definite buzz is making its way around both cities.

Community Involvement

Phil Duprey, Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce ambassador and former city council member, posted a discussion on his online forum, www.cedarparkissues.com, last month hoping to begin community conversation. Since then, responses for and against a possible merger appear on his site daily. Duprey is actively trying to get the idea in residents’ minds in hopes of one day actually bringing the cities together.

“It doesn’t make sense to be politically separate,” Duprey said. “The cities could combine to eventually compete economically with larger cities.” Charles Rowland, Cedar Park city attorney, compares the idea of Cedar Park and Leander merging into one large city to a marriage.

“It has to be a cooperative effort from the getgo,” Rowland said. “It’s like a marriage; if both people don’t get something out of it, it won’t work.”

How a Merger Works

Before any votes are cast, Rowland said the first step for both cities would be a financial analysis of Cedar Park and Leander by an independent auditor in order for Cedar Park to show it could afford to incorporate another city. Merging of chambers, city staff, police and fire would take place after a consolidation vote is passed in a citizens’ requested election.

In order for the cities to become one city or consolidated, the smaller city, Leander, with approximately 20,000 residents, would have to ask the larger city, Cedar Park, with 42,400 residents, to be incorporated into its city limits.

According to the Texas Local Government Code, a consolidation must be approved at an election in both cities, beginning with Leander.

How it Happens

• If at least 100 voters petition the city council to hold an election, the council may decide to have one.

• If a petition is signed by more than 15 percent of the total vote cast at the recent general election, the city council must hold an election.

• If a majority of the votes cast in the election in Leander are in favor of the merger, Cedar Park may hold an election within 45 days.

• If the majority of residents in both cities vote for consolidation, the mayor in each city verifies the approval of the voters to the Texas Secretary of State and will then become one city.

After the Merger

As soon as the cities are consolidated, Leander would have to adopt Cedar Park’s charter ordinances and name. Leander also becomes included in Cedar Park’s territory and is subject to its laws and regulations.

Leander records, public property, money, credits, accounts and all assets would be turned over to Cedar Park officers and those city officials would remain in office for the remainder of their terms.

Leander offices are abolished and the people holding those offices at the time of the merger would not be entitled to further compensation. Cedar Park would assume all outstanding liabilities of Leander and all bond funds voted for public improvement would be kept in a separate fund and used for public improvement in the territory for which they were voted.

Beyond the Black & White

“It is hard for cities to allow themselves to be taken over because of emotion and ego,” Rowland said. “The public has to really understand and feel it, then the political people get involved.”

Duprey feels that a merger would help both cities economically: Leander by lowering rising taxes and Cedar Park later down the road if residents demand more services from a completely built-out city.

Leander, however, would essentially give up not only its name, but also its identity as its own territory.

“I want everyone to be open-minded when discussing and hearing about this idea,” Leander Mayor John Cowman said. “I want people to know all of the facts and listen and learn and then make an informed decision.”

One city: A vision of the future?

City Facts

Leander

• Expenditures: $10 million
• Population: 20,000
• Tax Rate: $0.5983
• Sales Tax Revenue: $1,031,993
• City Limits: 20.03 square miles
• ETJ: 37.59 square miles

Cedar Park

• Expenditures: $22 million
• Population: 42,400
• Tax Rate: $0.51807
• Sales Tax Revenue: $9,680,000
• City Limits: 21.52 square miles
• ETJ: 11.38 square miles

Community Voices:

John Carter, U.S. District 31 Representative

“Leander and Cedar Park are fast growing areas and putting together their resources would make them a strong force. It comes down to personal desires and what they see as benefits if they merge. A lot of people have struggled to get on the map and they have pride in their community. Ultimately, it is up to the voters and whether they see it as beneficial.”

Robin Elkin Kregel, Cedar Park resident

“I don’t like that invisible line between both cities. My best friend lives in Leander, but I never feel like I am traveling to another city to see her. I think it’s a win-win situation. It has nothing to do with a name change, it’s the concept that is important. I think it would be an awesome thing and the growth potential would be fabulous.”

Shaune Haas, Cedar Perk Coffee Co. owner

“There are just still so many unknowns. I don’t know enough about it to decide if it is good or bad. I am curious to know the interest level of both sets of residents and the strengths and weaknesses on both sides.”

Angela Davis, Leander resident

“I think there would probably be a lot of problems. They are two different cities managed two different ways. Getting the councils to work together would be a difficult thing. ”

Mary Bradshaw, Leander Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

“Economically, I could see why people would want it to happen. But, I think it would take a huge cultural shift for it to happen. There has always been a feeling of Cedar Park and Leander being very different.”

Kenneth Faubion, Hill Country Feed and Supply owner

“It doesn’t need to happen. I know Cedar Park wants to maybe do this because they are land-locked and they can’t go any further east or west. My father, my grandfather and my great-grandfather all lived in this area. It just wouldn’t be Leander anymore if the cities combined.”

Jerry Rose, Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce chairman

“One thing to consider when talking about merging the two cities would be merging the chambers somewhere down the road. This is usually done in close knit cities and allows a consolidation of events. The chambers would be able to bargain better to own their own facility and we would be able to get a lot more done. We will have to look and study hard down the road to see what the best situation is for everyone.”