City of La Porte Annual Budget 1991-1992

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Though much of the image of this area is industrial, the La Porte-Bayshore area is still characterized by an e~panse of resort homes. Because of this, and the metropolitan advantages of Houston, La Porte is one of the few communities in the Gulf Coast area that offers this favorable combination. Harris Countv This 1,723 square mile county is a leading oil, gas and petrochemical area, having over $275 million average annual production of petroleum, natural gas and natural gas liquids. It has more than 3,200 manufacturing plants; the nation's largest concentration of petrochemical plants, the third largest United States seaport, and is a corporate management center. A significant part of the County's major employers, manufacturers, education and financial institutions are located in Houston, the County seat. The Texas Medical Center, located in Harris County, is one of the nation's largest providing medical care and educational opportunities. Harris County's 64 hospitals have 17,000 beds, of which 4,600 are in the Texas Medical Center. The Industrial Zones In 1958 the City of La Porte created an Industrial Zone adjacent to the City which presently encompasses approximately 5,500 acres of land north of Highway 225 and bordering the Houston Ship Channel. The City annexed sufficient land to completely encircle this Industrial Zone, protecting it from annexation by any other municipality. The City entered into contracts with all of the Industries located in the Zone whereby the City annexed a portion of the total value of each industry with the remainder constituting the protected Industrial District. In addition to the Industrial Zone north of Highway 225, which is referred to as the "Battleground Industrial District," the City contains an Industrial Zone on its south side referred to as the "Bayport Industrial District." The Bayport District was created in 1970 and covers a 2,500 acre area. The Industrial District Contracts are authorized by Texas State Statutes. . .... The City and the Industries, many of which have come to the Industrial Zones since the original contracts, are presently under contracts which extend to December 31, 1993. Under the terms of the current contracts, the City annexed 25% of the value of each industry on which the industry pays full City tax each year. The remaining 75% of the total value constitutes the protected Industrial Districts on which the industries make payments to the City each year in lieu of taxes. These annual in lieu payments are in an amount which, when added to the full City taxes on the annexed portion, equal 50% of what the City's taxes on the industry would be if 100% of the industry were in the City. 1-11