City moves to annex county property

A proposed code amendment that would allow county property owners to have their property annexed into the city in order to receive city services is expected to be approved by Odessa City Council during their Sept. 28 council meeting.

Council briefly reviewed and discussed the proposed amendment during their Tuesday work session.

City Planning Director Randy Brinlee said the amended code would allow individuals and companies to petition for annexation so that they can receive such city services as water and sewer, police, trash and road management.

Only owners of property located in an Ector County Assistance District would be able to apply for annexation, according to documents provided by city’s legal department.

Ector County Judge Debi Hayes did not return calls for comment.

Under the proposed ordinance change, a property owner will first be required to submit an application to the county requesting the annexation. That decision would be made by the Commissioners Court.

The Texas Attorney General’s Office on April 5 issued an opinion that “established significant additional procedures for individuals and companies who want to have their property annexed if their property is located within a County Assistance District.”