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Mitchell Bend residents press Hood County to keep incorporation on November ballot amid noise fight with Marathon
Summary
Residents from Mitchell Bend told commissioners Aug. 12 they followed Texas law to put a municipal incorporation on the Nov. 4 ballot and described chronic noise from a nearby Marathon Data bitcoin facility; petitioners urged the county judge not to allow an outside company to block the vote.
Residents of the Mitchell Bend area urged the Hood County Commissioners Court on Aug. 12 to let voters decide whether to incorporate, saying petition procedures were followed and outside interests are trying to block the election. Several speakers said they collected verified signatures and that county officials had previously signed an order placing the measure on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Why it matters: Petitioners said incorporation is a local remedy to unresolved quality-of-life problems tied to industrial development in their neighborhood. Commissioners must balance procedural steps and legal challenges before the election period closes.
What was said: Donna Adair, who identified herself as living about a mile from a Marathon Data bitcoin-mining plant, said the site has caused continuous noise since October 2023 and attributed tinnitus, wildlife loss and lower property values to the facility. “Marathon could fix this sound issue by putting the computers and fans in the buildings,” Adair said, and added residents feel the company “is not a good neighbor.”
Multiple Mitchell Bend residents described the petition process and the county review. Chris Brooking said elections staff verified 50 valid signatures and cited state statutory guidance that, when the petition meets legal requirements, the county judge must order the election. Daniel Lakey told the court petitioners gathered 88 signatures for a second petition and that state law was followed for verification and submission.
Legal and procedural notes: Speakers repeatedly cited Texas Local Government Code provisions (for example, petition rules under chapter 7 and citations discussed in the comments) and urged the judge to reject objections by out-of-area firms. Petitioners said companies with no property or voters in Mitchell Bend lack standing to preempt the ballot; the court discussed the timing and scope of judicial review but did not take final action on the incorporation item during public comment.
What’s next: Petitioners said the order to call the election had been signed earlier in the process and said they expect to proceed toward a November vote; the court discussed process timing, statutory posting requirements and whether any item needed to be reposted if schedule changes are made.
