The fight over Corpus Christi’s plans to annex land in San Patricio County continued in city council chambers Tuesday.
The city council passed a resolution starting the annexation process on about 5,700 acres of land in San Patricio County. This is industrial area between Gregory and Ingleside, and is in addition to the 1,500 acres the city started the process on last week.
Before the vote, there was plenty of opposition from San Patricio County residents and officials.
“To me, ya’ll look like the mafia,” said Nina Trevino.
“I have not heard from anyone in Portland or San Patricio County that’s for this at all,” said Nathan East.
San Patricio County officials call Corpus Christi’s annexation plans a land grab, pointing out that no residential areas are in the proposal.
“It’s all industrial, so all they’re after is the funds,” said Precinct 2 San Patricio County Commissioner Gary Moore. “They just want the money to save face on their mistakes in the past.”
That money comes in the form of city taxes. San Pat officials are concerned what annexation means for future growth.
“What we’re worried about is that industry will get mad and not come in,” said Mayor Ronnie Parker of Ingleside. “Most industry doesn’t want to be in the city limits.”
Corpus Christi city council members disagree with that assessment.
“I think we’ve got a little bit of a communication issue,” said District 4 City Councilman Greg Smith. “A lot of what I heard, gosh we’re going to lose Exxon, well we just approved an agreement with Exxon.”
Mayor Joe McComb says the city is simply acting now to beat proposed legislation in Austin. He adds that even though the council approved the resolution annexation isn’t a done deal.
“As this process proceeds, any number of things can happen,” said McComb. “A decision could be made not to continue the process, the area could be annexed, it could be reduced.”
The next step is for city staff to draw up an annexation plan. A final vote on annexation is expected in two months.
