No Water, No Sewer, No Justice…until now: Our Win Against the City of Taylor’s Empty Promises
Alexa and David from our team celebrating with Kris on his soon-to-be disannexed property!
In a landmark decision last week, a Williamson County district court ruled in favor of our clients Kristopher and Jamie Kibodeaux in their fight against the City of Taylor. This outcome isn’t a win just for the Kibodeauxs; it’s a powerful affirmation of every Texan’s right to receive the municipal services they’re promised when their land is annexed.
When Annexation Becomes Exploitation
For over five years, the Kibodeauxs have lived in a municipal “no man’s land.” The City of Taylor annexed their property in December 2018, happily collecting their tax dollars, but shamefully failing to provide essential services outlined in the City’s own service plan. We’re talking about basic necessities like water, sanitary sewer, fire hydrants, and even maintenance of the roads they travel daily—roads now heavily trafficked due to the new Samsung factory.
How to Stand Up to a Bully
Our clients did everything right. When the City failed to deliver, they enlisted our team at Cobb & Johns to help them petition for disannexation, as clearly outlined in the Texas Local Government Code § 43.141. The City's response? A dismissive denial, claiming disannexation wasn't in their “best interest.” This blatant disregard for state law and the well-being of their new residents was unacceptable.
The Texas Legislature has made it abundantly clear: municipalities must “fish or cut bait.” They cannot annex land, take tax money, and leave residents in limbo without services. Chapter 43 of the Texas Local Government Code provides a crucial safeguard for property owners in precisely this situation. It mandates that if a municipality fails to provide services within the statutory timeframe (2.5 to 4.5 years) and then refuses a valid disannexation petition, the court must order disannexation.
A Decisive Win in Court
The Court did just that. By declaring that the City of Taylor violated the law and ordering the disannexation of the Kibodeauxs’ property, the Court sent a clear message: Texas law means what it says. Municipalities are not above the law. They have responsibilities to their citizens, and they will be held accountable when they fail to uphold those responsibilities.
This victory is a testament to the perseverance of the Kibodeauxs and the unwavering support of our legal team. We are proud to have fought for justice on their behalf and to have secured an outcome that reinforces the critical landowner protections under Texas law. This case serves as a vital precedent, ensuring that other Texans won't be left stranded in municipal limbo without the services they are entitled to.
We look forward to seeing the Kibodeauxs finally free from the City’s unjust burdens and encourage any property owners facing similar issues to understand their rights and seek legal counsel. Your property, your taxes, your rights—they all deserve protection.
Cobb & Johns remains committed to protecting property rights and defending clients against unjust claims. For more information, please contact us at 512-399-3150 or visit www.cobbjohns.com.
