The City of Austin and the River Place Municipal Districts (MUD) are proposing to enter into a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) relating to city annexation and acquisition of the MUD's utility infrastructure, among other things.

The purpose of this post is to inform you that two public hearings are scheduled for the proposed SPA.  At the the hearings, the city council will hear and consider comments on issues related to the SPA and annexation. Attend the hearings to provide comments about the proposed SPA, which is described below

Hearing date: August 20th and 27th City Council Chambers

In addition the MUD will hold two public hearings about the SPA.

The city consented to thecreation of the MUD in 1984.  In December 2008, the City Council amended the city's municipal annexation plan (MAP) to include the River Place area.  According the MAP, annexation will take place in 2011.  Earlier this year, district representative s and city staff met numerous times to discuss the potential effects of annexation on MUD residents and explore alternatives to annexation under the three year MAP process.  Adoption of a strategic partnership agreement (SPA) is an alternative outlined below.

1. Full purpose annexation of the MUD by the city will be deferred to December 31st, 2017 including all city services and taxing authority.
2. The city will assume any remaining drainage, water and wastewater debt upon full purpose annexation, and no post annexation surcharge will be applied.
3. The city adopts an annexation service plan as part of the SPA.
4. Upon full purpose annexation by the city and subject to voter approval, the MUD will convert to a limited district with the initial term of 10 years for the purpose of:
   1. Maintaining and operating recreational facilities of the MUD
   2. Maintaining non balcones canyonlands conservation plan property in the MUD
   3. Providing solid waste services with single stream recycling
5. Limited purpose annexation of the MUD by the city will take place in 2009, including zoning and voting privileges but not city property tax assessment
6. The city will assume ownership of River Place MUD's water and wastewater infrastructure in 2009.
7. The MUD will continue to operate and maintain its water and wastewater utility systems through October 1, 2014; the city will assume operations and maintenance responsibilities thereafter.

Information in the post provided by they city of Austin planning department........