Trying to understand annexation (Austin, Cedar Park: HOA, houses, neighborhoods)

[TMB1]

What would happen if the area becomes annexed to a city? From my understanding, we would pay whatever the city resident would for tax, and that can be higher or lower than our current tax rate depending on what city/area being annexed? Is there anything else to gain/lose as a home owner?

[CptnRn]

The city would be required to provide you with services, such as police and fire protection, also to the degree they have them, zoning and building codes and other regulation, etc.

[Trainwreck20]

You would also become a voter for the city. The city can also only annex what is in the ETJ currently, although they can potentially expand that, as well.

[austin-steve]

Cities annex mainly to increase tax base (F1 Track) and/or control development/environment through regulation (Lost Creek, Lake Austin strip).

To which area do you refer?

Steve

[TMB1]

Thank you for your inputs. We're looking for houses in Cedar Park area, and trying to learn as much as possible about the neighborhoods. I saw annexation news on Deer Creek HOA website, but could not log in. After internet search I found out that the tax may be lower for the residents that will be annexed. However, still curious if there is anything else I should pay attention to.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

You would also become a voter for the city. The city can also only annex what is in the ETJ currently, although they can potentially expand that, as well.

Not necessarily. When our old neighborhood was annexed into Austin, they did it late in December, to make sure we paid city taxes. But since they failed to submit it to the Justice Department for approval under the Voting Rights Act, we couldn't vote in city elections for almost nine months. Didn't keep us from paying taxes.

Thus began my contempt for both. Taxation without representation.

[IC_deLight]

Originally Posted by TMB1

What would happen if the area becomes annexed to a city? From my understanding, we would pay whatever the city resident would for tax, and that can be higher or lower than our current tax rate depending on what city/area being annexed? Is there anything else to gain/lose as a home owner?

You will have more taxes.

You will have more restrictions on the use of your property.

You will have to get permission from the city to build or modify structures on your property.

You will have to pay a fee to the city so that you can build or modify structures on your property.

You are not likely to receive any benefit from the city - this is a one-way street. The city gets an economic benefit from annexation, you don't.

If you are receiving any city utilities now you are likely paying more than a resident would - you would change to the rates paid by residents.

You can vote in elections that are largely irrelevant because you don't get to vote in the "stakeholder" process that the city seems to prefer over the constitution and the voice of constituents.

You will still be stuck with an HOA if you are presently burdened with one. (HOAs are often touted as "necessary" when property is in unincorporated areas - but the HOA doesn't go away when the area is annexed so you end up with worst of the worst: HOA + HOA assessments + city + city taxes)

[Trainwreck20]

You will have more taxes.

That is often not true.

[IC_deLight]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

That is often not true.

You will certainly have city taxes and you didn't have them before. That's more taxes.

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by IC_deLight

You will certainly have city taxes and you didn't have them before. That's more taxes.

You are incorrect in your broad statement. Many areas outside Austin actually have higher tax rates than the city. Services (emergency, fire, police, water, wastewater, utilities, hospitals, parks, etc. etc.) still are provided and the city frequently can deliver these services more efficiently and can disburse tax burdens against greater population than can smaller communities.