ELMENDORF -- Many residents in Elmendorf claim they no longer want to be a part of the city after being told they’ll have to pay thousands of dollars for a mistake they feel is at the fault of city officials.
For about two dozen homeowners in the Butterfield Ranch subdivision, they thought they were buying the perfect home. However, residents say they were recently told they owe close to $500,000 to a developer for a Public Improvement District (PID) -- basically money so the developer can make improvements.
“We would have to pay $300 a year and it caps out at $7,500 per residents,” said homeowner Loan Harris.
Harris, among others, said they didn’t agree to the PID years ago when they first purchased their homes. However, current city officials claim the PID was apparently agreed upon before a single home went up.
No one can seem to explain why the PID is coming to light years later, let alone explain who drafted the agreement.
“In reality I just think no one focused on what the long term effect was going to be,” said Elmendorf Mayor Manuel Decena. “Unfortunately, most of the members who are here now weren’t there at the time.”
City council on Thursday approved an ordinance mandating homeowners pay up. As a result, some homeowners claim they want to de-annex from the town, or just sell their homes all together.
“This way we can separate from Elmendorf, hopefully,” said resident Robert Llanas.
“I plan to put the house up for sale next year,” Harris said. “It’s been emotional and stressful for all the residents here in Elmendorf.”
City officials said if someone buys a home in the subdivision, the cost would be passed on to the new homeowner.
