Jacksonville’s MDD “Overreach Tax”: Limited Voter Eligibility Sparks Outrage

JACKSONVILLE, Texas (TXAN 24) — A quiet yet powerful tax proposal is headed to the ballot on May 3, and most Jacksonville-area residents still don’t know about it.

Back on February 9, the City of Jacksonville posted a detailed explanation on its website about a proposed Municipal Development District (MDD)—a legal entity that would allow the city to collect a 0.5% sales tax in its Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), a one-mile buffer zone outside city limits.

But since then, there’s been no direct outreach—no mailers, no robocalls, no community forums. Just a Facebook post and a list of eligible voters buried on the city’s site.

If approved, the MDD would raise roughly $75,000 a year by taxing purchases made at businesses in the ETJ. The tax would affect anyone shopping in the zone, even if they can’t vote on it. Only registered voters living in that one-mile ETJ area are eligible to cast a ballot.

Critics have dubbed it the “Overreach Tax,” pointing out:

• Why the rush? The city has had months to notify voters but made little effort.

• Why no outreach? With names and addresses listed, why wasn’t mail used?

• Who controls the money? A board appointed by City Council would direct how the funds are spent—raising concerns about oversight.

While the MDD is legal under Chapter 377 of the Texas Local Government Code, the optics of a low-key rollout during a busy election season has raised serious transparency and trust issues among county residents.

Early voting begins April 22 at the Jacksonville Public Library. The final vote takes place on Saturday, May 3.