PEÑITAS—The City of Peñitas met at a special meeting on Feb. 19, approving a resolution to begin planning another round of annexations in 2013. In December 2012 Peñitas annexed 1,300 acres, including 457.9 acres of voluntary annexations.

Finance Director Oscar Cuellar said the city is allowed to annex just under 500 acres for the year 2013.

“We were looking at extending up to 4 Mile Line, and maybe past that to include Corina Peña Elementary,” Cuellar said. “There are some areas to the north of us and a little to the west.”

Cuellar added if those are the only areas annexed, it leaves some room for more annexations later in the year. He said the city is on a plan to eventually move further north, and a draft map will be ready for the next regular meeting.

The proposed area of annexation is estimated to have a little over four people per household, totaling 800-900 people in the area.

City Manager Noe Cavazos explained the approval authorizes the members of their staff to prepare service plans and set public hearing dates.

“We are looking into how much we can annex,” Cavazos said. “We are also meeting with Mission Mayor (Norberto) Salinas to discuss ETJs (extraterritorial jurisdictions) to see if we are in our jurisdiction.”

The commission also approved assigning of judges and clerks for the early voting and the May 2013 General Election.