Nearly 10 years after SpaceX, Elon Musk’s effort to colonize Mars, began operating in a small community in Cameron County just a few miles inland of the Gulf Coast, employees who live there and other residents will vote next month to incorporate their Starbase community as Texas’ newest city.
If the majority of them vote yes on May 3, the leaders they elect at the same time will have the responsibility of creating a city from the ground up.
What does it take to have a fully functioning city? Some of Starbase’s first steps can be anticipated, since Texas law sets some basic requirements — but much of its future will depend on what services officials and residents choose to prioritize.
If the election passes, Starbase will become a Type C city governed by a mayor and two commissioners, who will be elected by the voters on the same day they vote to incorporate. The mayor will run day-to-day operations unless residents later vote to hire a city manager.
The city must hold monthly public meetings, run elections and keep public records accessible.
To fund services like water, sewer or public safety, Starbase would need a budget and, eventually, revenue. City leaders could propose property or sales taxes, which are typical ways cities make money, but any tax would need to be approved by voters in a separate election.
In essence, Starbase will be a company town, meaning incorporation could shift more control of local functions, like roads, utilities, and even beach access, from Cameron County to SpaceX-aligned city leaders.
