Meadowlakes Trespasser?

[JakRussll]

There are no doubt a lot of Meadowlakes residents on this forum. How do you think this ruling will go? Does Meadowlakes receive ANY county, state or federal road funding? Directly or indirectly? Any sales tax rebates from the state? Any public money abatements at all? If so, how does the city legally keep the public out? Does a city worker (gate guard) who is NOT a commissioned peace officer have the right to detain and ask for identification? Does Lucksinger have a case here? Your thoughts?





An attorney who received a trespassing citation for entering Meadowlakes without permission filed a motion Thursday to quash the charge he deems unconstitutional.

Michael Lucksinger of Hutto, Lucksinger & Garrett, LLP, which has offices in Burnet, Kingsland, Marble Falls and Llano, said he was followed by a city guard and issued a citation inside Meadowlakes’ Hidden Falls Golf Club after entering the gated city without asking permission.

“I could live the rest of my life happily never entering the City of Meadowlakes, but I have friends and employees who live there who I wish to visit from time to time,” Lucksinger said. “The fact that a non-citizen must disclose private, personal information and basically request permission to enter a public city runs counter to the precepts of our nation’s constitution.”

[KINGCHIP]

I don't have a dog in this fight, but wonder how a municipality can have restricted access. I don't go in there very often, and don't really care one way or another, but was curious.

[kb5ykj]

This could open up a real bag of worms so to speak.
This may challenge the idea of: " Does a gated community have the right to restrict who may enter". This could even answer if apartment complexes, condo's, etc. have the right to restrict access with gates, guard shacks or coded entry the folks that can enter into the community. This will be interesting to see what a Judge will rule. I don't beleive this will go very far.

[Peaches]

I think Jak has a valid point about the public funding of roads within the city. I think that's going to be the key issue, and therefore, it won't have any effect on gated communities , apartment complexes, or other restricted access areas. I don't have a dog in this fight either, but it is an interesting event. I'll keep following this story.

[grumpy]

My understanding is that the Meadowlakes POA own and maintain the roads. If that is so, they are private. I have never heard of a POA being granted public funds. What does Lucksinger have to hide anyway?

[BubbasGeek]

This could open up a real bag of worms so to speak.
This may challenge the idea of: " Does a gated community have the right to restrict who may enter". This could even answer if apartment complexes, condo's, etc. have the right to restrict access with gates, guard shacks or coded entry the folks that can enter into the community. This will be interesting to see what a Judge will rule. I don't beleive this will go very far.

It's not a gated community; It's a gated city! How would you feel if Marble Falls required a gate pass and your personal information to enter the city. I am a homeower in "Meadowlakes" and believe it should NOT be an indiviual city but part of the City of Marble Falls and pay taxes and etc. Then Meadowlakes could be a "legal gated community".

[nosefornews]

What does Lucksinger have to hide anyway?

I love that line. Just because people don't want to have to check in and get permission from a rent-a-cop at the gate to a 'CITY' you ask what he has to hide.....That's the kind of perverse logic that leads to all of us having to show identity cards in order to travel....after all, if you don't have anything to hide, you won't mind registering and getting permission from the state to travel.....

If Meadowlakes wants to be a 'gated community' and restrict access, then drop the city status, and become part of Marble Falls, I'm sure Marble wouldn't mind the tax revenue.....

[luxgolfer]

I'm a Meadowlakes resident. The streets are owned by the POA which uses membership fees to maintain them. The POA also pays for security.

[mdarling]

I frequently go to Meadowlakes, and have never, repeat never, been asked for any identification. The guard simply wants to know where I'm going. Simple enough--just tell him. And, Meadowlakes is not the only gated city in this country. We've been through this discussion, ad nauseam, on this forum.

[nosefornews]

mdarling,
I'm not familiar with any other gated cities that demand you stop before you enter, what other ones are you speaking of?

[louisa]

I have a question for BubbasGeek, Lucksinger's family, friends and employees. Did you not recognize that the gate was at the entrance to Meadowlakes when you chose to live there?

[kb5ykj]

There are many Gated places that do maintain their own roads, water, wastewater, M.U.D., etc. My comment before did not designate Meadow lakes as a gated city or community but just threw out the idea of the communities, condos, apartments, etc. that is gated and require you to check in at guard shacks or call a person at a keypad, etc. for access into those places. Of course there are many folks that have nothing better to do than file frivolous lawsuits.

[Peaches]

I don't know that I would call this a frivolous lawsuit, Chuck. If something violates the Constitution, I think it should be challenged.

The other factor in this case is the question about the status of the person who wrote the ticket. Personally, I don't want just anybody walking up to my car and writing me a ticket - which is probably the reason Lucksinger filed the motion to dismiss. I don't think he sued anybody. The article says he "filed a motion to quash the charge." That's not the same as filing a lawsuit. It's pretty much just trying to get the ticket dismissed. Lucksinger is high-profiled enough that this case caught media attention. Maybe he planned it that way, but still...

[Caretaker]

Well folks. This issue made it to KXAN news as usual... :popcorn:Best show in the hill country I guess.

Buts heres my .02. If a person buys a home in Meadow lakes they should have known what it is and what is was when they bought there.You accepted that fact right?? They made the entrance for a specific reason..And After all you would,nt want maybe for say some Jihadist or something coming in and causing havic now would ya?;)

For those who do not live in MLs. The guard entrance is for the Safety and protection of those who live there.Right?. After all you wouldnt want to someone just coming on your property univited would ya.:confused:

There are aprtments,condos,etc that have gated entrances. Folks choose to live in those communitys because they think it makes them safer.Of course to me thats a false sense of security.:banghead:

[nosefornews]

I still don't understand how a 'city' can put up a gate and restrict access. I understand the concept of the gated community within a city, but an entire gated city? I've never heard of such a thing. I didn't even know MLs was a city, to me it was just another restricted neighborhood that thought that guard in the front guaranteed them some sense of security.

[louisa]

Meadowlakes has been a city since 1985.

[butchkemper]

For full disclosure, I do not live in the city of Meadow Lakes but some of my best friends do.

Meadow Lakes was developed as a subdivision surrounding a golf course. The common areas which included the streets were owned by the Property Owners Association. The gate at the entrance to the community belonged to the POA and the guards manning the gate were employees of the POA.

Later, the City of Meadow Lakes was created but the POA still maintained ownership of the common areas of the community.

The Municipal Utility District was established to provide water and sewage service.

A couple of years back, the MUD merged into the City of Meadow Lakes as the Utility Department.

The POA still owns the streets and is responsible for the Gate. As long as the POA owns the streets, the Gate with guards is legal and will remain until removed by the POA.

What I do not understand is where the Gate Guard got the authority to write a ticket that is enforced in City Court?


A POA employee can not write a ticket.



The City can not enforce the POA rules.

Butch

[JakRussll]

You have asked a very good still-unanswered question Butch. Can a non-peace officer detain ANYONE? And even then, does this justify "cause"? Okay, so lets say for a moment that it is trespassing when you enter ML without permission. Can the POA determine their own police powers? Of course not! So, your question remains "Does a city worker (gate guard) -who is not a sworn officer of a court or police power jurisdiction- have the legal right to detain, or ask for identification, or issue a citation?

Your thoughts?

[Reapp]

I do not think that the guard issued the citation, MLakes has a code enforcement officer who can enforce city ordinances (which I believe is where the requirement to check in at the gate comes from).

Now, the the constitutionality of the whole issue is another matter and it will be interesting to see how this shakes out.

[Peaches]

Does anybody know the sales tax rate in Meadowlakes?

[BubbasGeek]

Does anybody know the sales tax rate in Meadowlakes?

You'll have to ask a golfer as there are no "real" stores in Meadowlakes, no gas stations, nothing.

My personal opinion is that it is ridiculous that a subdivision became a city in the first place.

[mdarling]

There are about five gated cities in California. Haven't checked the rest of the country. And, there are lots of communities, condos, apartments, etc., that one cannot enter without going through a guard, whether they are incorporated or not. My question is why didn't Lucksinger just tell the guard where he was going? He doesn't have to give away personal information to get into Meadowlakes. Sounds to me like he was trying to make a case against Meadowlakes' practices and policies. And, frankly I don't care how "high profile" someone is, he/she is still just another person trying to get into Meadowlakes.

Meadowlakes probably became a city because Marble Falls was not the least bit interested in annexing Meadowlakes and/or providing services when it was developed.

And, no, I do not live in Meadowlakes. I'm just tired of people trying to break the rules just because they don't like them. That's half the problem with this country--everyone thinks he is an exception to the rule.

[JakRussll]

Does anybody know the sales tax rate in Meadowlakes?
If you can find where the city of Meadowlakes has registered as a taxing entity with the Secretary of State you will have your answer. It does not appear that they have, but search for yourself. If they have NOT registered, you had better not be paying more than the state minimumrate of 6.25% for sales and usage tax. Even then, the city (or private business) has to be registered with the SOS in order to collect any tax at all.

Maybe someone else can answer your question. Here is the Secretary of State website where you will find city tax rates.

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/local/index.html

[Peaches]

mdarling,

If it violates the Constitution, either Federal or State, who voilated the rules? I agree that Lucksinger could have stopped at the gate and avoided all this, and maybe he choose not to do so. Maybe he has a valid complaint.

Here's another question: If the city official followed Lucksinger to the Golf Course, why did he issue the ticket? Isn't the purpose of the guard to find out why a person enters the city?

[Sabrered]

In 1985, Dick Neel, a resident of Meadowlakes came before the Marble Falls City Council and asked that Marble Falls take Meadowlakes into the city. He and the Meadowlakes residents really didn't want that to happen, but since it was in the Marble Falls ETJ, this was the first item of business that had to be undertaken. Mr. Neel also showed the indebtedness that Marble Falls would incur if it brought Meadowlakes into the City. There was a large indebtedness owed on the streets, and by a vote of 3 to 2 against bringing Meadowlakes into the city, the proposal was voted down and Meadowlakes incorporated into a city a short time later, with Dick Neel becoming the first mayor. Marble Falls had its chance at a bite of the apple, but decided that it was not economically feasible to bring additional indebtedness to the city. In hindsight, perhaps this was an error in judgment, but at the time, they went with the best information available. There were a lot of horror stories circulated concerning what would happen to the guard gate if MF took ML into the city. Women were scared that they would be raped in their beds by the MF riffraff that would be cruising their area. Pressure was put on council members by ML residents stating that they would no longer buy groceries, gasoline, or hamburgers in Marble Falls which was a sly threat to the council members that worked in these businesses. Perhaps this will give you a little better insight as to how Meadowlakes became a city within a city.

[louisa]

I would like to ask Bubbasgeek, why in heaven's name have you chosen to live in Meadowlakes for 11 years if you hate it so bad? Why not move back to Marble Falls and pay the taxes you seem to want to pay.
And to Mr. Lucksinger, how do you sleep at night knowing your title company has profited over the years from sales in Meadowlakes to people that purchased homes because of the gate.
There seems to be some kind of agenda here, what is it?

[BubbasGeek]

I would like to ask Bubbasgeek, why in heaven's name have you chosen to live in Meadowlakes for 11 years if you hate it so bad?

I didn't say I hate Meadowlakes, I just said that the fact it is a city is ridiculous.

[Peaches]

Maybe the real question is this: can an incorporated city be private property? (Gated communities, condos, and apartments, in my opinion, are private property, and therefore can restrict access.) If so, how does anyone gain the right to issue tickets on that private property?

My heart tells me that the property owners should have the right to decide if access is restricted, but my head tells me that the Constitution shouldn't be ignored.

People need to be able to feel safe in their own homes - even if it's a false sense of security. Maybe this challenge will answer the Constitutionality questions, and then changes can be made accordingly.

I don't see Lucksinger as a bad guy in this case.

BubbasGeek, maybe you should start a petition to disincorporate. I think you'd have to have so many signatures calling for an election, then it could be put to a vote.

[nosefornews]

Maybe the real question is this: can an incorporated city be private property? (Gated communities, condos, and apartments, in my opinion, are private property, and therefore can restrict access.) If so, how does anyone gain the right to issue tickets on that private property?

That's exactly what I was wondering...if it's a city in the United States, how is it able to restrict access? We can travel from city to city without permission, except for Meadowlakes? I can drive into Llano but not Meadowlakes?

I can understand them not letting me play golf (which I don't anyhow...) but to stop me from even entering or requiring me to state my business is just a little strange to me....

So exactly what are the citizens of Meadowlakes hiding? :secret: Why are they so afraid of everyone else? Hmmm, the plot thickens....:popcorn:

[luxgolfer]

What we're hiding, "nosefornews" is that Meadowlakes is a great place to live and raise our children. It's not the Garden of Eden...but it's nice to live in a relatively secure place, where if we accidently leave our garage door open at night, we're still pretty much assured that we'll wake up the next morning with nothing missing or without having been raped and robbed.

Sure, it costs a little bit more $$$ to live here, but the cost is very much worth it. Our streets are in good repair; our water/electrical/sewer systems are sound. We pay our school taxes; we spend a large percentage of our $$$ in Marble Falls.

A great number of us are retired; we've made our lot in life and now we're enjoying what time we have left on earth enjoying ourselves in one of the most beautiful parts of Texas. We're law abiding, even the republicans who account for most of our population.

Part of my enjoyment comes from reading snippets like those you post. You call yourself "nosefornews" when you're really not much more that a snoop who seems to get your kicks by casting innuendoes and insuations in much of what you write.

The bottom line is: Meadowlakes exists and functions clearly within the limits of Texas law. The attorney who violated our property by illegally entering Meadowlakes was in the wrong.

As for who cited him, has anyone out there ever heard of "citizen's arrest?"

Keep your sinuses clear, "nosefornews;" there may be more sinister goings-on out there that you need to look into.

[nosefornews]

Part of my enjoyment comes from reading snippets like those you post. You call yourself "nosefornews" when you're really not much more that a snoop who seems to get your kicks by casting innuendoes and insuations in much of what you write.

To bad you didn't appreciate the humor... didn't mean to make you cranky :mad:


Keep your sinuses clear, "nosefornews;" there may be more sinister goings-on out there that you need to look into.

And fear not citizen, my sinuses are clear and ready for action......:rockon:

[mdarling]

Ayone can play golf at Meadowlakes. It is a semi-private course open to the public.

[ohcuriousone]

Luxgolfer seems to have summed up the "why live in Meadowlakes" question very nicely. I too live in Mlakes, not retired yet but headed that way, and we like what we have here and have nothing to hide. By the same token, we don't owe anyone any explanations. We made the fully informed decisions to buy here, and the the whys and wherefores aren't anyones business. We knew about the gate, knew that folks coming to see us would have to stop and state their destination, and that is what you are asked. As to the folks that rent and don't like the gate, rent elsewhere, if you can find something that nice elsewhere. I understand that other lawyers have tried the same antics in the past. I will not name and add notoriety to the issue. I believe that folks who try these "publicity issues" are only trying for headlines. Makes me wonder what office the fellow will be running for. He has gotten a lot of free, abet, not all good publicity. If everyone quit adding fuel to his fire, do you think he might go away?

We can only hope.:rockon:

[Reapp]

I really don't think the issue will survive a legal challenge, and I'd be interested in seeing how it pans out.

[Sabrered]

I believe the main consideration in buying and owning in Meadowlakes is that the property values are protected by the Home Owners Association. There is an in-house code enforcer to insure the covenants of the city is adhered to. As in every city, there are pluses and minuses as to why citizens live where they do. Nose, please come out and visit us anytime, but also please comply with the regulations as posted.

[JakRussll]

The first question then it seems, remains unanswered. While no one seems to disagree that restricted access is not a valid idea (if you live there), the issue is whether a city can restrict, question or otherwise qualify another person - at their choosing - who tries to enter into it. While the comparison to a private apartment complex is also valid, has it yet been determined that the city of Meadowlakes, is in fact privately owned? You gave up no rights to landowner privacy rights when you applied and incorporated as a Texas city? No outside state or county tax dollars at work there....at all? Anyone?

The second question that does not appeared to have been addressed is the lawful detainment of a trespasser (if in fact that is proven). While the Texas statutes are clear (and upheld) that it is unlawful for a property owner to detain a person who is suspected of trespassing, what gives a property owners agent (gate guard or compliance officer) that right? You can post a no trespassing sign in conspicous places but you cannot enforce it yourself (set aside criminal activity). The "citizens arrest" commentor should also be reminded of the tremendous amount of liability that comes with the act. You better be right, because you probably cannot afford being wrong. Are you sure that you want to absorb that risk over a potential misdemeanor prosecution that ranks right up there with jaywalking? Is the ML's POA leadership aware of this, and are they aptly insured?

So, the question remains. Can an agent of the property owners who is not a sworn officer of a court , or state approved policing jurisdiction, detain anyone? Your thoughts?

[nosefornews]

Sabred,
Thank you for the invitation, and if I do I promise to stop at the gate...:)

JakRussll,
That was always my question. I did not know that an incorporated city could stop people from entering their town. Now Butch's answer as to who owns the streets came closest, but I still wonder how a POA can be more powerful than the city they are chartered under.

It just seems strange that in the United States a city has the right to ask you what your business is before you even enter. Back in the days of segregation there used to be signs in some towns in the South that would say 'No hobos, Catholics, Jews or (well you know the famous N word) allowed after sunset", NOW BEFORE ANY MEADOWLAKES RESIDENT JUMPS ME (luxgolfer)...I'm not saying MLs is that type of restricted town. It's just that I've never in my life encountered a 'city' that verifies why you are there before you enter, and yes I understand the concept of a gated community or apartment complex, but they aren't cities.

But anyway, it'll be interesting to see if the ticket is dismissed and what happens in this case....

[Webmaster]

:popcorn:

[3D]

Three cheers for Mr. Lucksinger, I am really enjoying all of the verbal jousting and just can't help myself from joining in. I am just wondering if M.L. pays any taxes for M.F Fire dept and EMS services and do they have to stop and declare where they are going ? I lived in M. L. for about 4 years and all of my visitors disliked having to stop and tell the guard who they were visiting. I did not like that if I left my garage door open too long or if i parked my boat in my driveway for too long i would hear about it but the last straw was when they said i could not put a swing set in my backyard because i was on the golf course....MY BACKYARD!!! I sold out and moved because there were to many retired captains of their industry on the boards holding on to the last bit of authority that they may have and getting carried away with it .....just my opinion... all Mr. Lucksinger was asking for was to have his "allegedly illegal" ticket dismissed

[4hmom]

I agree Webmaster....very interesting :popcorn:

[bobbypuccio]

Luxgolfer, meadowlakes is cheaper to live than in marble falls, our tax rates are higher and we have more expensive neighborhoods, so don't see your point in it costs more $$$$$$. Marble falls should put a gate on the other side of their gate and question the residents of meadowlakes everytime they come and go, or even better, make it a toll road. Typically, a community puts up a gate when surrounded by high crime areas, low class neighborhoods, which isn't the case. I don't think there are many home invasions in the marble falls areas, or thefts for that matter. ohcuriousone, if it weren't for marble falls providing fire,emt, and police I don't think your gated city would last very long. Maybe Mfalls should rethink hiring out our services, interesting to see how high your insurance would go. Like I said, since meadowlakes is so concerned with crime maybe we in marble falls should too, time for us to gate up our city and interrogate everyone coming and going, and just provide services for OUR city only.

[AllyMay]

:villagers:

[Peaches]

Does Marble Falls PD or Burnet County SO investigate crime in Meadowlakes? I know about Mutual Aid, and I know that MF EMS often contracts with surrounding communities to provide service, but Marble Falls PD and the Burnet County SO wouldn't have jurisdiction within another city limits, would they?

How does that work? Doesn't an incorporated city have the responsibility to provide its own law enforcement?

Why would the MF Fire Department take on the liability of providing first response fire protection at Marble Falls' taxpayers' expense?

Does Marble Fall EMS have a contract wtih Meadowlakes to provice EMS service?

I'm just curious...In case I decide to start my own gated city some day.

[BubbasGeek]

:popcorn::villagers:

[luxgolfer]

Goodness gracious!

Some joker illegally enters Meadowlakes via a guarded gate and all of a sudden the city itself is being made to be at fault simply because once upon a time ago its residents decided to surround it with a fence. The comments some of you have made make you sound like a bunch of kids who are jealous of the kids next door.

There is just one business in Meadowlakes and it's open to the public: Hidden Falls Golf Course and grill. Anybody can purchase a membership at Hidden Falls, spend at its pro shop and buy at the grill. There's not another place in the city where a dime can be spent. There is no other magnet here to draw customers.

Golfers/eaters have easy access to Hidden Falls Golf Course and grill.

I don't know its full history, but Meadowlakes has been a city for many years. It is recognized as such by the state of Texas. If the city was doing anything illegal, don't you think the state would have already taken action???

I paid over $5,500 in taxes last year on my modest Meadowlakes condo. Burnet Co. received $1,045 of that sum, plus another $91 for the county's special road and bridge fund. Marble Falls ISD got $3,376 and the Water Conservation District of Central Texas got $45. The remainder ($997) went into Meadowlakes' coffers.

Marble Falls doesn't provide Meadowlakes any "freebies." We pay for fire protection and EMS. Burnet County provides secruity through the Sheriff's Department.

Meadowlakes pays for its services.

And, Meadowlakes is a good neighbor; anyone who believes differently needs to think back to the June '07 flood. Remember? Marble Falls had no waters...Meadowlakes did...Meadowlakes provided water to Marble Falls.

Now, let's put this inane matter to bed and get our attention back to more serious matters.

[bobbypuccio]

Luxgolfer, No one is saying meadowlakes is getting freebies, but they aren't paying as much for the services as marble falls residents, nor is your tax rate as high, period. "jealous of the kids next door", jealous of what I ask? There are PLENTY of neighborhoods in marble falls that have homes valued at 3 to 4 times as much as meadowlakes. Ya'll put up a gate and all of a sudden you think you live on Applehead island.

[Webmaster]

Y'all really need to chill out and take a lot of what's being said with a sense of humor and grace. No need to get your blood pressure up. There's enough going on in the world to worry about besides the gate at Meadowlakes and its implications.

[JakRussll]

"Some joker illegally enters Meadowlakes via a guarded gate....." (laxgolfer)

Lux, you answered a lot of questions that were never asked. But, not the ones that were.

Which are, why is it illegal to enter Meadowlakes at all....Joker or not (your words)? Well? Why is it? What gives you the right to "detain and qualify" another individual who chooses to enter your American city? Has the Texas trespassing law been really been violated if a visitor does not meet your self-scripted, quasi-criteria? Does your "gate guard" have detention (and denial of access) authority as defined by state polce power statutes? Well, your answer?

No one asked - but you did provide that when you leave Your City, you are driving on surface roads that the residents of Marble Falls (not ML) have paid for. You do it without being delayed, qualified, followed or even required to state your business.

[kb5ykj]

Does Marble Falls PD or Burnet County SO investigate crime in Meadowlakes? I know about Mutual Aid, and I know that MF EMS often contracts with surrounding communities to provide service, but Marble Falls PD and the Burnet County SO wouldn't have jurisdiction within another city limits, would they?

How does that work? Doesn't an incorporated city have the responsibility to provide its own law enforcement?

Why would the MF Fire Department take on the liability of providing first response fire protection at Marble Falls' taxpayers' expense?

Does Marble Fall EMS have a contract wtih Meadowlakes to provice EMS service?

I'm just curious...In case I decide to start my own gated city some day.

Meadowlakes Contracts for Emergency Services this way:
Burnet County So. for Law Enforcement.
Marble Falls Area VFD. for Fire & EMS First Responder.
Marble Falls EMS for Medical Services.

[megra]

But i think it stands to be said that MLs is just like any other gated community in any city... it just happens that the city ends where the subdivision ends... or vice versa... I guess what if trying to say is the size of the city really doesn't matter... gated communities everywhere are part of cities...genrally speaking of course... MLs subd. is just the same size as the city... just a thought... :o

[Peaches]

Thanks for the information Chuck.

Megra, maybe you're right. But a city is a governmental entity, and you don't generally find the center of city government within the confines of a gated community. With that in mind, does a gated city violate the undertones of Open Government?

(BTW...it's not my intention to offend or support either side of the issue. But, the legal ramifications are interesting.)

[Peaches]

Can I ask one more question: Let's say a resident of Meadowlakes violates some deed restrictions; who, and how, would that violation be "prosecuted"? Doesn't the POA have to file a charge with somebody (maybe the city code enforcement department?). Who hears the case? Who collects the fines?

[3D]

As to the folks that rent and don't like the gate, rent elsewhere, if you can find something that nice elsewhere.


The comments some of you have made make you sound like a bunch of kids who are jealous of the kids next door.


I would venture to say that I can find something that nice almost everywhere and jealous, not hardly. While on the subject of kids, that is why we moved because M.L. was originally a retirement community, (hence the small lots) and to this day is not very kid freindly( hence the swingsets ban , early curfew etc.. ) . I agree with B.P. it seems like (some, not all ) are a bunch of elitist applehead wannabee's . My experience was that a lot of the retired folks have nothing to do but be on the lookout for there neighbor to do something against the so called rules. On another note the guard gate caused me to lose more than one mistress!!

[nosefornews]

On another note the guard gate caused me to lose more than one mistress!! :eek: :banana:
Ah, gated communities for life behind the :wall:

[kb5ykj]

You did not specify what your home appraisal value but here is mine. Mine in Marble Falls is $141,452 and I paid: $18.53 for water conservation,$1,624.91 for school, $49.84 for co. special, road and bridge, $462.12 for burnet county, $867.67 for city of marble falls.
Chuck
Goodness gracious!

Some joker illegally enters Meadowlakes via a guarded gate and all of a sudden the city itself is being made to be at fault simply because once upon a time ago its residents decided to surround it with a fence. The comments some of you have made make you sound like a bunch of kids who are jealous of the kids next door.

There is just one business in Meadowlakes and it's open to the public: Hidden Falls Golf Course and grill. Anybody can purchase a membership at Hidden Falls, spend at its pro shop and buy at the grill. There's not another place in the city where a dime can be spent. There is no other magnet here to draw customers.

Golfers/eaters have easy access to Hidden Falls Golf Course and grill.

I don't know its full history, but Meadowlakes has been a city for many years. It is recognized as such by the state of Texas. If the city was doing anything illegal, don't you think the state would have already taken action???

I paid over $5,500 in taxes last year on my modest Meadowlakes condo. Burnet Co. received $1,045 of that sum, plus another $91 for the county's special road and bridge fund. Marble Falls ISD got $3,376 and the Water Conservation District of Central Texas got $45. The remainder ($997) went into Meadowlakes' coffers.

Marble Falls doesn't provide Meadowlakes any "freebies." We pay for fire protection and EMS. Burnet County provides secruity through the Sheriff's Department.

Meadowlakes pays for its services.

And, Meadowlakes is a good neighbor; anyone who believes differently needs to think back to the June '07 flood. Remember? Marble Falls had no waters...Meadowlakes did...Meadowlakes provided water to Marble Falls.

Now, let's put this inane matter to bed and get our attention back to more serious matters.

[Peaches]

Chuck...

Do you know if Meadowlakes pays extra to Burnet County SO for their service?

[butchkemper]

Do you know if Meadowlakes pays extra to Burnet County SO for their service?

Meadowlakes pays the Burnet SO for police protection because that is required by state law.

All incorporated entities, ie cities, must provide police protection. If the city does not establish a PD, then they must contract with either the SO or some other city to obtain police service.

I am not sure I would use the term "extra" when referring to payments for SO service. "Extra" carries the idea of optional and the cost of police protection is not optional, it must be paid, one way or the other.

Butch

[mfems]

Marble Falls Area EMS, Inc. and Marble Falls Area VFD are 501 C 3 non-profits. Neither organization is part of the City of Marble Falls. Both entities contract with the City of Meadowlakes to provide EMS response and fire protection. MFAEMS has served the citizens of the Highland Lakes for 34 years. They cover approximately 400 square miles of Southern Burnet County and Southeastern Llano County and provide service to 35,000 citizens. MFAEMS has six ambulances, four stations and 46 employees. The service responds to approximately 4000 patient contacts per year. Stations are located in Marble Falls, Granite Shoals, Horseshoe Bay and Cottonwood Shores.

I hope this helps,

J. Campbell
(MFAEMS Director)
(Meadowlakes Resident)

[BubbasGeek]

But i think it stands to be said that MLs is just like any other gated community in any city... it just happens that the city ends where the subdivision ends... or vice versa... I guess what if trying to say is the size of the city really doesn't matter... gated communities everywhere are part of cities...genrally speaking of course... MLs subd. is just the same size as the city... just a thought... :o

There's one important fact here in that City Hall is inside the gate. So in this respect, the city is gated and not just the subdivision.

[mdarling]

What several people fail to understand is that Meadowlakes is not a subdivision; it is a city. It was a subdivision when it was originally built, but the city of Marble Falls opted not to incorporate it. Also, to correct my former post about the golf club--since the club is city-owned it is public. A city cannot run a private golf club/course; it must be open to the public.

[3D]

Once upon a time (1998,1999 ish) the golf course was private.

[Peaches]

Thanks for the info, everybody. Butch, thanks for clarifying, I was in the mind set of "extra" as above and beyond the "normal" county tax base.

Interesting discussion. I'm betting that ticket gets dismissed.