South Padre Island qualifies for ‘home rule’

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND - The town celebrated a historic moment this week.

The Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance on first reading declaring that the town's population is now more than 5,001, and that the town now qualifies for home rule.

Home rule enhances a town's ability to annex adjacent territory.

The action was taken at the regular meeting of the board held on Wednesday.

City Attorney Paul Cunningham told aldermen that after the second reading, probably at the next regular meeting, they would need to appoint a committee of 15 people to draw up the city charter.

"I'll draw up a skeleton charter that meets state requirements," he said, "and the committee will add whatever they feel is needed beyond that."

According to the Cameron County Appraisal District, the town boasts 6,538 single-family dwellings, and 171 multi-family dwelling complexes.

A total of 7,742 electric meters serve the residents. As of July 30, some 6,143 permits were issued to allow vehicles to return to the Island after Hurricane Dolly.

While the number of telephone hookups is declining, that is to be expected in the age of cell phones, said consultant George William Berry.

Finally, according to Berry, the number of South Padre Island inhabitants is at least 5,900.

A city charter is the constitution of a city, the legal basis of its rules and ordinances.

"You can write any law that does not conflict with state law," Cunningham said.

One of the advantages of being a home rule city is that the town is free to annex at will, within the state's legal parameters.

Cities and towns that do not qualify for home rule status can only annex if the property owners in the proposed area petition for inclusion in city limits.