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A committee of local residents tasked with exploring incorporation and getting the election for incorporation on the ballot. All members are volunteers and reside in the area. All residents are welcome to join Will be working to provide information and communications with all parties Will be working to submit application for incorporation to San Antonio 2015: Contacted City of Von Ormy Mayor & Attorney: Art Martinez de Vara for assistance.

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Proposed City of Alamo Ranch= 8,000 Helotes, Tx = 8,104 Leon Valley, Tx = 10,808 Von Ormy, Tx = 1,300 Grey Forest, Tx = 480 Fair Oaks Ranch, Tx = 6,569 Castroville, Tx = 2,838 Castle Hills, Tx = 4,289 Alamo Heights, Tx = 7, 547 Boerne, Tx = 12,384 Shavano Park, Tx = 3, 313 Selma, Tx = 7,602 Hondo, Tx = 9,002 San Antonio = 1,409,019

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100,000 city ordinances limit economic and personal freedoms San Antonio passes on average 1200 new ordinances per year, not counting when the City Council convenes as another body Examples: Sec. 31-18 A tax on all businesspeople or professionals equal to one-half of the taxes imposed by the states. Sec. 31-40 All coin-operated machines are taxed Sec. 33-929 Number of taxi cabs are artificially limited by the city Sec. 16-296 Garage sales must be permitted, and no more than four per year per resident are allowed Sec. 19-291 No person shall open the door of any vehicle unless and until such opening can be made without endangering either pedestrians on a sidewalk or vehicles in a moving lane of traffic.

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In May of 2012 San Antonio voters passed a $596 million bond for streets, bridges, sidewalks, drainage, flood control. Alamo Ranch residents would be required to help pay this back

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San Antonios Proposal

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1. To keep government close to the people. 2. To establish specific services like fire, police, animal control, trash pickup, traffic controls, etc. 3. To control land use. 4. To control subdivision of land. 5. To establish a tax program or to prevent a tax program from being established. 6. To qualify for various grants from state or federal agencies: USDA, CDBG, etc. 7. To permanently prevent San Antonio from annexation. 8. To preserve land value, way of life and Local control. 9. To gain representation on local, state and federal boards.

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10. To recover lost franchise fees being paid to other entities. 11. Opt out of taxes that are being assessed with no service being provided (example: VIA Bus Services). 12. Option to opt out of water CCN to start own water or sewer utility. 13. Option to opt out of ESD (emergency services district) to start our own fire department. 14. Tax money stays local.

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City brings liabilities that require risk management. Along with government comes taxes, fees and regulations Road Maintenance Grants come with staffing and regulatory requirements

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Home Rule Cities over 5000 residents Statutory Cities under 5000 residents Type A: Large cities over 700 residents Aldermen form of government Type B: Small cities under 700 Aldermen form of government Type C: Large or small Commissioner Form of Government

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Sec. 5.901. TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INCORPORATION AS GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITY. A community may not incorporate as a general-law municipality unless it meets the following territorial requirements: (1) a community with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants must have not more than two square miles of surface area; (2) a community with 2,001 to 4,999 inhabitants must have not more than four square miles of surface area; and (3) a community with 5,001 to 9,999 inhabitants must have not more than nine square miles of surface area.

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How Do We Decide on our Proposed City Limits ? Area of the initial city is tied to population. How do we prove population? 2010 Census Data only acceptable data source in past negotiations with San Antonio Alamo Ranch can incorporate up to 9 square miles Multiple cities can be formed and later merged Should look for balance of residential and commercial to prevent overdependence on property taxes. San Antonio has been reluctant to give away existing and prime intersections of commercial development. Look for future or potential commercial sales tax base as well

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Where is Alamo Ranch?

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Alderman Form of Government Mayor Only votes when there is a tie Board of Aldermen Five positions elected at-large City can form wards, 2 aldermen per ward Marshal Office can be abolished

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A Budget Officer Select a depository (bank) Provide insurance for liability and property Provide an Engineer for Public Works and Construction Provide Defense for Police Officers Meet Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements

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police and fire protection services animal control health and sanitation services street construction and maintenance garbage and solid waste removal, collection, and disposal establishment and maintenance of jails parks libraries and library maintenance community, neighborhood, or senior citizen centers operation of emergency ambulance service

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regulation of traffic transportation systems recreational facilities tax collection building codes and inspection zoning, planning, and plat approval maintenance of traffic signals, signs, and hazards community development or urban renewal activities Codify Ordinances Establish and Regulate Health Standards

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Adopting Subdivision Regulations Adopting Zoning Regulations Adopting a Comprehensive Plan Annexing Property Adopting the Annual Budget Raising Taxes Levying Assessments for Street or Other Public Imp. Sale of Park Land Condemnation of property

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Sales tax must hold election to adopt 2 sales tax. Franchise Taxes Electric, Telephone, Natural Gas, Telecommunications Property Taxes $1.25 per $100 max Poteet $0.735 (highest in Atascosa County) Kirby $0.729 (highest in Bexar County) Somerset $0.707 San Antonio $0.565 Von Ormy $0.00 Alamo Ranch ?? Traffic Fines: Must adopt traffic code first

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Grants Small Cities Community Development Block Grants Economic Development Administration Rural Development Administration Water Development Board Texas Parks and Wildlife Grants

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The city may begin to voluntarily annex additional area at any time May only annex territory by request of the property owners or voters until city becomes a Home Rule City Cannot annex into San Antonios ETJ without consent of San Antonio

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After the election for mayor, aldermen and marshal, which will be held shortly after the incorporation election.

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Alamo Ranch: Next Steps 1. Prepare a petition of 50 registered voters 2. Survey 9 square miles city limit 3. File with City of San Antonio for conditional release Staff Review and Recommendation Planning Commission Recommendation City Council Vote This process took 2 years for Von Ormy, 18 months for Sandy Oaks and 1 year, thus far, for Savannah Heights. 4. Election for Alamo Ranch Incorporation 5. Election for Mayor and Council

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Possible Outcomes 1. San Antonio could grant the application for Alamo Ranch incorporation and we hold an election 2. San Antonio could grant the application with negotiated revisions 3. San Antonio could deny the application and Alamo Ranch residents could counter with an application for immediate annexation. 4. San Antonio and Alamo Ranch could negotiate a non- annexation agreement 5. San Antonio could annex Alamo Ranch 6. San Antonio could deny annexation and decide not to annex

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What Can You Do to Help? Are you registered to vote? Talk to your neighbors about incorporation. Join the Committee to Incorporate Alamo Ranch Volunteer to help Contribute your time, talent or treasure to the Committee to Incorporate to help with communication and future actives Join the Facebook Page Help with the petition for incorporation