Photo by Wes Ferguson
STAFF REPORT
The Buda City Council voted unanimously to annex 360 acres of Texas Lehigh Cement Co. land last week.
For the annexation to be made official, council members are set to vote on it a second time at their meeting Tuesday. Texas Lehigh officials have opposed the annexation and have asked for more time to work out an agreement that protects the company’s ability to mine and produce cement at the plant southwest of town.
But city officials say nearly a decade of talks with the company failed to result in an agreement, deciding to move forward with the involuntary annexation late last fall.
The city does not require Lehigh’s permission to absorb the property. Appraised at more than $60 million, Lehigh is more valuable than any other business or property in Hays CISD.
City staff have said they would pursue the annexation of Centex Materials, a smaller neighbor of Lehigh, at a later date.
