Lost Creek, five other areas to vote on leaving the city

Texas Republicans and Democrats will be going to the polls on March 5 to select their candidates for the November election. But another election is coming in May, and the only people who get a chance to vote in it are those who live in the Lost Creek Municipal Utility District or one of five other areas seeking to disannex from the city.

On Feb. 1, City Council approved an ordinance calling for an election in Lost Creek MUD (District 8), Blue Goose Road (District 1), Malone Preliminary Plan (District 5), Wildhorse/Webb Tract (District 1), Mooreland Addition (District 5), and River Place Outparcels (District 10). The Travis County Clerk’s Office confirmed that the county will be administering the elections.

Lost Creek resident Leslie Odom, an outspoken critic of the city of Austin, particularly with regard to police services, is actively promoting a “yes” vote. Another promoter of disannexation is Ryan Brannan, a state lobbyist serving as treasurer of a political action committee raising money to support a disannexation vote.

The city is forced to hold these elections because of the passage of House Bill 3053 last year.

In addition to complaining about city services, Odom complained that she was unable to get a meeting with Mayor Kirk Watson. A spokesperson for his office told the Austin Monitor via email, “The Lost Creek de-annexation election was mandated by the Legislature. It must happen, and the implications of that are out of the control of the City. If it is decided by the voters to be removed from Austin, we will, of course, do all that is necessary to make the exit work well and smoothly. Mayor Watson’s chief of staff spoke to this constituent in December and heard her concerns about the Lost Creek de-annexation election.”

Lost Creek and the other five areas seeking to disannex would still be paying some city taxes for about two years on average. That’s because Lost Creek owes Austin nearly $7.8 million, which is estimated to take two years to pay off. The other areas seeking to disannex owe the city of Austin lesser amounts and each will be allowed to pay their debt in full at any time, according to the ordinance approved by Council last week.

As a result of disannexation, those areas will give up certain city services, notably police and fire protection and emergency services. Odom complained that Lost Creek has suffered a significant increase in crime recently, which she blamed on lack of service from the Austin Police Department.

She also said that her area is simply too far away for police to patrol and that they have been relying on firefighters from the Westlake Fire Department, also known as ESD  No. 9. Although the Westlake firefighters have been doing the job in Lost Creek, she said they were not paid because the city of Austin got that tax money. In the future, Odom said, firefighting funds would be directed to ESD No. 9. In addition, she said the sheriff’s office has its own substation in the Lost Creek Park.

She said Lost Creek would continue to receive water and wastewater services from the city of Austin.

Council Member Paige Ellis, who represents the Lost Creek area, cautioned, “Leading up to the May 4 special election it’s important residents have all the facts they need to make an informed decision. I encourage an open line of communication between residents and city staff in the months ahead.

“There are many services currently provided by the City of Austin that could look different for Lost Creek residents. These services range from not having Austin Police be their first responders, no Austin Code zoning or short-term rental limitations, losing Austin Resource Recovery trash pickup, not having Transportation & Public Works maintain roads or speed mitigation signs, to other environmental regulations such as impervious cover limits.

“These services would need to be provided by the Limited District or Travis County instead. As long as transparency and facts are guiding these conversations, I trust Lost Creek folks will choose what they feel is best for their community and respect the ultimate outcome.”

Photo by Winston Samuel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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