SUGAR LAND, Texas – The city of Sugar Land has approved the annexation of New Territory and Greatwood by December next year.
Sugar Land City Council unanimously approved an ordinance at its Tuesday meeting to annex the municipal utility districts, or MUDs, in both areas. City officials said the council also voted to amend the city's fiscal year 2017 budget to begin the pre-annexation work necessary to provide new residents with city services beginning Dec. 12, 2017.
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The pre-annexation costs are funded by New Territory and Greatwood residents with money set aside during the last 10 years specifically for this purpose, city officials said.
When finalized, Sugar Land will grow by more than 30 percent from a current population of 87,367 to more than 117,000 residents, city officials said.
The process for the annexation of the Greatwood and New Territory municipal utility districts began in November 2007. The city of Sugar Land said it "is the result of years of thoughtful, deliberate planning; public input and a strong partnership between the city and elected officials in the communities."
Strategic partnership agreements between the city and the Greatwood and New Territory municipal utility districts provided contractual commitments for annexation and the provision of services to the non-city residents. City officials said the agreements included a surcharge to Greatwood and New Territory residents for city-provided services that has been deposited into a fund to pay for annexation costs, including the retirement of remaining municipal utility district debt.
New Territory and Greatwood residents will receive the same services as provided to existing Sugar Land residents upon annexation. Sugar Land city officials said most will experience an overall annual savings and increased services in areas such as public safety, zoning, traffic control, regulatory oversight, street/sidewalk repair and comprehensive planning.
Annexation will not increase costs, taxes or impact services for current city residents, officials said.
"The city is very pleased that we will be able to welcome so many new residents next year and provide high quality city services while still maintaining one of the lowest tax rates in the state," said Allen Bogard, city manager. "We are very excited to add these outstanding communities to the city."
City officials said an extensive public outreach effort will be conducted during the next year that includes an explanation of city services, including important contacts and information about how to get involved. This will include a combination of printed materials, online resources, social media and community presentations.
"Greatwood and New Territory are premier communities with first-class infrastructure; beautiful parks; carefully planned, well-maintained neighborhoods; and quality retail and commercial areas that are consistent with Sugar Land's commitment to excellence," Bogard said. "These areas will only enhance the quality and beauty of our city, and I want to thank the leaders of both communities for years of dedicated work to plan for annexation."
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