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1. If the 69.1 acres in Bexar County was to be de-annexed, would the control of the flood plain would be lost?

Since the original annexation in 1986, the Bexar Regional Watershed Management partnership was formed. This entity was formed in 2007 with the first meeting being held in 2008, to improve flood control and flood water management. This partnership, along with San Antonio River Authority and FEMA have authority over the floodplain in questions. The land will remain in Cibolo ETJ, but with the current agencies monitoring and protecting the Bexar County Flood Plain, Cibolo will be able to continue protecting current and future residents.

2. What is annexation?

Annexation is the process of bringing property into the City limits. It is one of the primary means by which cities grow. Cities annex territory to provide urbanizing areas with municipal services and to exercise regulatory authority necessary to protect public health and safety. Annexation is also a means of ensuring that current and future residents and businesses outside a city's corporate limits who benefit from access to the city's facilities and services share the expense associated with constructing and maintaining those facilities and services.

3. When would residents see improvement in roads that are annexed? Are all roads, in or adjacent to an area, annexed into the City or are some left in the County?

Right-of-Way maintenance priorities are determined on a city-wide basis taking into consideration factors such as street width, volume of traffic, street conditions, and public safety hazards. Roads and streets are annexed if they fall within the area to be annexed. Roads and streets running along the perimeter of an annexation area are generally annexed.

4. What is an ETJ?

Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) is defined as the unincorporated area that is contiguous to the corporate boundaries of the municipality. The legislature declares it the policy of the state to designate certain areas as the extraterritorial jurisdiction of municipalities to promote and protect the general health, safety, and welfare of persons residing in and adjacent to the municipalities.

For more information please visit https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/LG/htm/LG.42.htm

5. What are you going to do about the flooding and drainage problems in my area?

When an area develops, the City requires a developer to design and construct a drainage system that cannot release more water from the new development than was released before the construction. In order to satisfy this requirement, most developers construct detention ponds that hold water and allow it  to  release  slowly  and/or absorb  into  the  soil.  With all development, commercial and residential, the City will enforce FEMA and the City Floodplain Regulations. Improvements to drainage ditches in the public right-of-way may also be required of a developer to accommodate drainage

If located in the ETJ, drainage and flooding issues should be reported with Guadalupe County. All drainage maintenance is the responsibility of the County unless in Cibolo City limits.

6. Where can I find the law as to the landowners’ rights and the city’s obligations for annexation?

Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 43.

7. What is the Public Protection Classification (PPC) system?

The Insurance Services Office (ISO) uses the Public Protection Classification (PPC) system to reflect a community's local fire protection for property insurance rating purposes. ISO classifies communities from 1 (the best) to 10 (the worst) based on how well they score on the ISO Fire Suppression Rating Schedule, which grades such features as water distribution and water pressure, fire department equipment and manpower and fire alarm facilities. The score that is determined from applying the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule is translated into a public protection classification.  In some communities, a split classification is developed. An example of the split classification is 4/4x or 4/4y. The first number refers to the classification of properties within five road miles of a fire station and within 1000 feet of a creditable water supply. The second number, with either the "x" or "y" designation, applies to properties within five road miles of a fire station but beyond 1000 feet of a creditable water supply.

8. What is Cibolo Fire Department’s ISO Rating?

Insurance Services Office (ISO) changed the City’s classification to a Class 4, with an effective date of 02/01/2015. With a single class rating of 4 all class-rated properties will use Class 4. Insurance Services Office changed the Public Protection Classification for the OPA (Outside Protected Area) to a split Class 4/9 with an effective date of 02/01/2015. With a split Class 4/9, all class-rated properties located within 1000 feet of a fire hydrant or water supply suction point and within 5 miles of a fire station will use Class 4. All class- rated properties located farther than 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant or water supply suction point and within 5 miles of a fire station will use Class 9.

9. Does Cibolo Fire Department have an agreement to provide fire services in Guadalupe County?

Yes, an Interlocal Agreement for Fire Protection Services in Guadalupe County between the City of Cibolo, the City of Schertz and the City of Seguin was approved and signed for a period beginning October 1, 2017 and ending September 30, 2020. This agreement includes a stipend for each city which is appropriated through County taxes from all tax payers.

10. Can we shoot firearms within city limits?

The Firearms Ordinance states that no gun can be discharged within City Limits or ETJ, with the following exceptions:

If your property was annexed after 09/01/1981 or you are located in the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), expect for the protection of a person or property in or about your home, or for an exhibition during a charitable contest with prior approval of city council after an application has been made and permit has been issued.   Discharging shotguns, air or bb guns and/or bow and arrow on 10 acres minimum lots is permitted at any time as long as they are discharged at least 150 feet from a residence or occupied building located on another property and all projectiles must remain within the property lines of land on which it was discharged.  For rim fire, centerfire, or any pistol shooting, it must occur on 50 acres or more, at least 300 feet from a residence or occupied building located on another property and all projectiles must remain within the property lines of land on which it was discharged. 

If a firearm is discharged in the protection of your life, your family, or your property as allowed by the Texas State Penal Code, the incident will be investigated by police officers to determine the discharge was justified in accordance with the law. Any bullet discharged from a firearm is the responsibility of the firearm handler at that time. Any damage cause by the projectile is the responsibility of the firearm handler, and that person will be prosecuted accordingly to the law.  A firearm handler will likely face serious charges for any injuries occurring as the result of an errant or misdirected projectile. 

11. For police protection who do we call? City or County?

In an emergency, please call 911.

If this is not a life threatening emergency, please call Schertz Dispatch at (210) 619- 1200.  This will place the call in queue to have an officer respond to the incident. Schertz Dispatch works with surrounding municipalities to ensure that the closest officer is able to respond.