Council discusses mutual development district to expand economic-development tools into ETJ

Councilmember S5 described a mutual development district (MDD) as a mechanism similar to an economic-development corporation but with authority extending into the ETJ. S5 said the MDD would not add a new tax on residents but would redirect existing sales taxes from the ETJ back to local economic-development purposes and recommended waiting until the next scheduled election to avoid additional cost.

S5 explained the ETJ reach is "0.5 a mile" and emphasized the MDD could provide broader economic-development tools than the city's current EDC. Members discussed outreach and the need for clear, bullet-pointed materials on the plan before presenting it to voters; S5 said the city manager in Abilene and experience in Brownwood would inform implementation.

Council took no final vote on forming an MDD; the item remained at the discussion and planning stage.