Concerned about the growth in the western segment of the county, Weston Lakes residents are voting on whether to incorporate into a city. Early voting is brisk and the final votes will be counted May 10, says Trent Thomas a resident of the subdivision and member of the committee that studied incorporation.

Weston Lakes is located in the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction of the city of Fulshear.

Supporters of this measure are asking Weston Lakes to vote on a proposition to “incorporate as a Type B, General Law Municipality under the Provisions of Chapter 7 of the Texas Local Government Code.”

Thomas acknowledged there is a very small group of residents in apparent opposition to the measure. “I don’t know who they are or where they came from but they have put a sign outside the gate (of the subdivision) filled with half-truths. This isn’t something someone was sitting in their driveway and came up with. A lot of study, planning and research went into it before it was brought up for a vote. I am really confused as to what those opposing it are basing their opposition on,” Thomas said.

He said Weston Lakes is an established neighborhood with an existing population of 2,300 that is expected to grow to about 5,000. Much of the community is served by Fort Bend MUD 81, a mature and fiscally sound municipal utility district. Thomas said the debt on the MUD will be fully paid for in about 5 years and they currently have about $1.5 million in the bank for future improvements.

Weston Lakes lies within an unincorporated portion of Fort Bend County, between the incorporated cities of Fulshear and Simonton. While Fulshear recently drew up a resolution saying they had no interest in annexing Weston Lakes, Thomas says the resolution is “non-binding and another city council could come in and change it--then where would we be?”

Supporters of the incorporation say development is migrating westward and it appears the Fulshear-Simonton area will experience dramatic growth. Subdivisions currently under construction within the city limits of Fulshear will result in a dramatic rise in population. Within a couple of years, the population of Fulshear will surpass 5,000 – therefore extending its Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) into Weston Lakes. In addition, Fulshear will likely elect home-rule status at this time, giving it the authority to unilaterally annex areas within its ETJ and that includes Weston Lakes, Thomas stressed.

The Weston Lakes Property Owners Association formed a Weston Lakes Community Incorporation Project Committee to study issues associated with this growth, annexation and incorporation. After nearly a year of study, the committee returned a report with a recommendation to pursue incorporation.

Thomas says supporters of incorporation feel strongly that Weston Lakes should be governed by those who live within the gated community and their tax money should be spent on projects that will benefit them. He also noted that the largest expense the subdivision would incur , should voters give the nod, for incorporation is a part-time city secretary. Law enforcement, emergency medical services and fire protection will be provided by the county under an interagency agreement, he said.

Therefore, he said, the incorporation costs would be minimal– with only a very minor additional tax burden of two or three cents per $100.