Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, and Pilot Point Mayor Chad Major spoke to a group of Pilot Point area residents on Monday evening at a town hall meeting, organized by Pilot Point Neighborhood Events.
The main topic of conversation, and what every subsequent question revolved around, was city growth, with the Pilot Point population having doubled from around 4,500 to 9,000 in the last two years as the impetus.
“If you don’t like growth, I’ve got bad news for you, because it’s coming anyways,” Patterson said.
Water is an important stressor on North Texas communities, with some cities like Celina even putting a moratorium on further development because of the lack of water to support it.
However, most of the water supply in the area of growth within Pilot Point's jurisdiction are not controlled by Pilot Point.
“We don’t have all the water rights within our 70 square miles,” Major said.
Instead, he said, Mustang Special Utility District controls around 80% of the city’s service area for water.
Patterson added that this issue goes beyond city government.
“It’s not just a government problem; it’s also a developer problem,” he said.
He also pointed out that no one will buy homes in neighborhoods that don’t have running water.
Both agreed on the need to search for alternative sources like groundwa- ter reservoirs, more longterm solutions like new wells and possible partnerships with water-rich states, such as Arkansas.
The topic of the proposed concrete batch plant just outside of Pilot Point city limits on Osburn Road was also discussed.
Residents raised concerns about threats to their quality of life and the possibility of worsening air quality.
Major acknowledged that the city’s hands are tied beyond issuing the resolution that the council passed opposing the plant during the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality hearing for an air quality permit.
“It’s not in our jurisdiction,' Major said. '… There’s really nothing more we can do beyond supporting our neighbors.”
Patterson echoed that while no one wants this in their backyard, the concrete plant is necessary to build and repair the internal roads and infrastructure that growth demands.
“Nobody wants it, but we can’t build without it,” he said.
Taxes came up at the end of the evening.
The discussion made clear that raising the state sales tax is unlikely and that income taxes are off the table.
Patterson reminded the audience that Texas has a constitutional ban on income taxes, which he argued is a major attractor for businesses and new residents.
Major, meanwhile, stressed that the city’s focus remains on making sure property tax revenue covers the basics.
“Our job is to make sure we can provide fire, police, roads and water,' Major said. 'There’s not much wiggle room beyond that.”
Theo Johnson/The Post-Signal
