Ropers call foul on city's annexation plan

October 18, 2012, 7:00 pm by Adam Troxtell

Russ Roper points out where the city got the right of way on his land to place water lines running out to the Scott & White hospital site. Roper said because he gave them the right of way for free, he was promised his land would not be annexed until it had been developed for commercial purposes.

Russ Roper has opened up a whole new issue with the city’s intent to annex land along US 281 to the south, much of which is his family’s, by saying he was promised it would not be brought into the city when he granted them a right of way for water lines.

At a public hearing during the city council meeting Tuesday night – the second on the matter – four property owners brought more questions to city officials by speaking publicly against annexation. Marble Falls has announced their intent to annex over 1,000 acres to the south of the city along both sides of US 281, and a large portion of that belongs to the family of Russ Roper and Anita Roper Dorsey.

Both were at the hearing, and Russ Roper said by annexing his land Marble Falls is going against their word. When the city knew the Scott & White medical complex was going to be constructed at the intersection of US 281 and TX 71, Roper said he agreed to donate a right of way on his land so water lines could be laid. In return, he said the city would not annex the land until it was developed.

"We agreed to donate a right-of-way for a water line at no charge,” Roper said. "In that agreement, we were promised we were not to be annexed until we develop the ranch. It was a verbal agreement, but an agreement nonetheless. It is a totally dishonest betrayal of citizens' trust in the system.”

City Manager Ralph Hendricks said the city gave the Ropers, as well as other landowners, the opportunity to opt out of annexation for five years or until they developed the land with a development agreement, but they turned it down.

"The most recent agreement we offered was to keep the land agriculturally tax exempt for the next five years or until they decided to develop it,” Hendricks said. "They decided not to enter into that agreement.”

Reader Comments

What kinda of fool would give up land or donate a right of way with out it being written in a contract stating all the terms and stipulations.And at NO charge to boot. When ya deal with the city get it in Writing.
October 16, 2012, 10:15pm by Roy

A verbal agreement from the city, that was a good move...!!!
October 17, 2012, 9:10am by billy

I totally support Russ Roper. He dealt in good faith with the city. Now, the city has left him swinging in the wind.
October 17, 2012, 7:15pm by Dwayne

Yes, this is what happens when we have morons running the city....
October 22, 2012, 9:58am by billy

Sad when an expectation of integrity, honor, ethics becomes a joke. From the top down, it's a sad state. Pathetic.
October 20, 2012, 2:29pm by Deabra

The City would do well to remember that the Ropers paid gobs of tax money to the City, the County and the Schools when they owned and operated the Roper Hotel.
October 20, 2012, 7:15pm by Dwayne

Make a deal with any government and take your chances. I knew the town was going downhill when they blocked the view from Roadside with commercial property.
October 20, 2012, 8:18pm by mark

The Ropers have lived in this area forever, for many years they opened their home and land to the people of this community for their annual Christmas lights. The entire family has done a lot for this community and The City of Marble Falls are foolish to go against their word. I'm pretty sure Ona Lou would straighten out "The City" and they would never consider messing with the family land again!
October 19, 2012, 5:12pm by Cindy

Here the city is saying that the Ropers decided not to enter into an agreement yet they have an agreement being put on the agenda to approve a development agreement based on it being ag land.. That agreement will let them keep out over 500 acres for 5 years. And the major part of that land is on the west side of the highway. The proposed map clearly shows gaping holes in whats in the city and what wont be and what will be. Why are THEY allowed to enter into an agreement well after the 30 day time period to do so when other land owners are not given the same opportunity??. Also is that Land really AG land?? Does it really qualify?
November 05, 2012, 9:00am by Roy