DJ Says...

Back in the first part of June we told you about the City of Friendswood filing suit against itself in an effort to thwart the voter's defeating a couple of bond proposals: Friendswood City Gov’t Run Amuck. The situation got even messier when the city tried to force five residents that had traveled to Austin to put up a million dollar bond: Friendswood Sues Five Citizens. Public pressure forced the city to back off of that demand: Friendswood Drops Bond Request of Citizens.

After several delays, the judge finally ruled last week that the Friendswood 5, as the residents came to be known, were correct and the city cannot issue debt without voter approval nor can they purchase land outside of the city limits.

The city cannot move forward with plans to issue certificates of obligation without voter approval to buy parkland outside the city limits, a Travis County judge has ruled.

Judge Scott Jenkins of the 53rd District Court signed an order Friday ruling in favor of five residents, who have dubbed themselves the Friendswood 5. The residents fought the city’s plans, which they said violate the city’s charter.

“It is a victory for Friendswood and a victory for taxpayers everywhere,” said Janis Lowe, a member of the Friendswood 5.

Because of the city council's actions, the city is now facing, in addition to having to pay the court costs from the failed lawsuit, a $1.43 million loss from the illegal attempt to purchase the land, unless they are able to sneak out of it on a technicality. What really caught my eye in this story were the comments from two of the principals in the land deal talking about being heartbroken.

‘My Heart’s Broken’

Friendswood, however, agreed to pay three times more for the land than its assessed value, according to Brazoria County Appraisal District records.

The city in September signed a contract to spend $1.3 million for the 60 acres, which is in three parcels of 30, 20 and 10 acres. The appraisal district assessed that property in 2008 for less than $400,000.

Friendswood agreed to pay $658,108 for 30 acres, four times more than the property’s assessed market value of $149,550, appraisal district records show. The city agreed to spend $440,000 for 10 acres although appraisal district records show the property is assessed $125,000 on the market.

However, Wanda Morris, a Brazoria County Realtor, said $1.3 million is reasonable for 60 acres along FM 528.

Residential property in Alvin typically sells for $10,000 to $12,000 an acre, but the size and property on FM 528 makes it more valuable, Morris said.

Wight said he didn’t know the market value of the land, but he was confident Friendswood was not paying any more for the property than it should.

“I actually had the city’s best interest at heart,” he said.

Hill said he was disappointed the city would be unable to buy the space for a much-needed ballpark.

“My heart’s broken over this,” he said. “We were assured all the way that we were on solid legal ground.”

Heh. Whenever I hear someone say they are heartbroken for someone else after losing out on a small fortune, it makes me go, hmm. Four times the appraised amount? Yeah, I'd be heartbroken too.

In a perfectly just world, the mayor and city council of Friendswood would be held personally responsible for this money. Unfortunately, it isn't a perfect world and the citizens of Friendswood will be responsible for it. I do hope the voters remember that at election time.

Super duper congrats to the Friendswood 5 for taking on a mucked up city hall and winning.