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Council agrees to reword annexation language to emphasize voluntary approach
Summary
Members debated language about annexing ETJ lands and settled on emphasizing voluntary encouragement rather than forced annexation; staff will revise plan wording to clarify annexation is voluntary and reflect council's advocacy role.
Sims reviewed Goal 5 language about managing municipal boundaries, annexation and incorporating the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). One councilor objected to language that could be read as forcing property owners into annexation, saying "I don't think we ought to be trying to pull in the ETJ properties" (Committee member, SEG 1701–1706). Staff confirmed annexation is voluntary and proposed rewording; several councilors recommended language such as "encourage annexation" or explicitly add "voluntary."
The council instructed staff to revise the wording to remove any implication of forced annexation and to emphasize the town's role in influencing regional issues and advocating for Northlake's interests. Staff said they will provide reworded language for the strategic plan reflecting voluntary annexation and continued regional advocacy.
