Consolidation introduces uncertainty we cannot undo! 

Police Coverage Changes After Consolidation: 

Fact:
After consolidation, police services are:

• Managed centrally

• Deployed based on call volume, population density, and priority matrices, this will slow response times.

• No longer dedicated exclusively to Shoreacres 

The city of Shoreacres to become District 5 of the City of La Porte. The city of La Porte has a minimum of 4 police to cover their entire city at any given time. This is not hearsay, this is fact! 

Police Coverage Changes After Consolidation, even if promised otherwise!

Response Time Is a Real Risk; Not a Talking Point

Fact:
In larger cities:

• Priority calls get fastest response

• Lower volume areas often wait longer during peak demand

Shoreacres currently benefits from:

• Low call volume

• Proactive patrol

• High visibility

Consolidation trades proactive presence for reactive response!

Consolidation does not mean lower cost for policing, it means redistrubition with fewer police for a much larger area!

Important truth:

• You are not paying less for policing after consolidation

• You are paying through:

  • Citywide tax rates

  • Fees

  • Special assessments

You will be losing control over how much policing you get for what you will be paying!

Consolidation Is Permanent, Reform Is Not!

Fact:

• Texas law provides no automatic exit from consolidation.

• Once dissolved, Shoreacres:

  • Loses its governance

  • Loses its council

  • Loses independent taxing and ordinance authority

Why this matters:

• If reform fails, consolidation is still available later. By law consolidation can happen once in a two year period.

• If consolidation fails, independence is gone forever!

This is a one-way decision

Local Accountability Is Lost

Fact:

• Voters have direct access to decision-makers

• Elections are local and turnout is meaningful

After consolidation:

• Shoreacres becomes a small voting block, your 100% voice becomes 5%!

• Officials may not live in the area

• Local issues compete with citywide demands

Accountability decreases as distance increases.

Shoreacres Still Has Legal Tools It Has Not Fully Used

Fact:
Texas law allows:

• Shared administration

• Regional purchasing

• Contracted city administration

These tools can deliver many consolidation benefits without dissolving the city. Skipping them is a choice, not a requirement!

Grants and Regional Aid Are Not Limited to Big Cities

Fact:

• The city of Shoreacres currently receives ZERO grant funding

• Small cities qualify for:

  • TxCDBG

  • County-administered disaster grants

  • State infrastructure and mitigation funds

• Size does not disqualify a city from grants

Grants can help:

Fix Infrastructure Without Raising Taxes

• Water and sewer line repairs

• Drainage and flood mitigation

• Street and sidewalk improvements

Support Public Safety

• Purchase police, fire, or EMS equipment

• Fund training and certifications

• Improve emergency communications

Strengthen Flood Resilience & Environmental Protection

• Flood control projects

• Stormwater improvements

• Shoreline and erosion mitigation

• Environmental restoration

Improve City Operations & Compliance

• Technology upgrades

• Financial systems and audits

• Planning and feasibility studies

• Cybersecurity and records management

Invest in Quality of Life

• Parks and recreational facilities

• Community centers

• Walking trails and green spaces

• Beautification projects

Enable Long-Term Planning

• Infrastructure assessments

• Capital improvement plans

• Hazard mitigation plans

Grants:

• Are competitive, not guaranteed

• Often require matching funds

• Must be managed responsibly

• Do not replace good governance

Reality:

• Grant success depends on planning and capacity, not consolidation!

STRICT PERMITTING & REGISTRATION FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS

• Require an annual permit for any short-term rental properties in our city

• Require a "hotel" tax that must be paid annually

Examples:

Austin, TX: Requires annual registration and hotel tax

Bryan, TX: Requires additional taxes paid annually at 7%

Plainview, TX: Annual permit, contact info, and local hotel tax requirement.

WE ALREADY HAVE ACCESS TO LA PORTE'S PARKS, POOLS, RECREATION CENTER, CITY WIDE EVENTS, FIELDS, FACILITIES, ETC. 

• THIS IS NOT A REASON TO CONSOLIDATE!

TAXES:

On a $300,000 home: A rate of 0.710 (LP 2025 Tax Rate) to 0.850130 (Shoreacres Tax Rate), that's roughly a $35 per month to the homeowner difference in taxes. This is not factoring in additional fees, utilities, etc.

Are we willing to give up local control, community, and governance of our city for $35 per month?

Becoming Unincorporated in Harris County What It Means and What It Requires:

Under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 62, a city in Harris County has the legal option to dissolve its municipal government and return to unincorporated county status through a process known as disincorporation. This process is not automatic and does not occur without formal legal steps. In most cases, disincorporation requires a public election in which a majority of the city’s registered voters approve the decision. In rare circumstances, the State of Texas may initiate the process if a city is unable to meet its financial, legal, or operational obligations.

If disincorporation is approved, municipal government ceases to exist. The city no longer levies a municipal property tax, though any existing debts or contractual obligations must still be resolved as required by law. City-owned assets are transferred or liquidated according to statutory procedures, and temporary taxation may continue only to satisfy outstanding obligations.

Once a city becomes unincorporated, governance shifts to Harris County. Law enforcement is provided by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and responsibility for roads, drainage, and infrastructure falls under the appropriate county precinct. County regulations apply in place of city ordinances, which are generally fewer and less restrictive.