Editing Westminster, Texas (section)

==Recent decline and disincorporation==
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Westminster began a noticeable decline after 1988, when the [[Texas Board of Education]], citing various deficiencies, removed the accreditation from the [[Westminster Independent School District]]. In 1989, voters abolished the district and closed its school. Most of the students in Westminster now attend school in [[Anna Independent School District|Anna]].

With marginal sales tax revenues, and a weak [[property tax]] base, Westminster was unable to recover from various mismanagement; embezzlement of state grant money and poor record-keeping led to a massive debt that, since 1997, had left the city seeking [[bankruptcy]]. This debt, of unpaid traffic fine revenues and a misappropriated (and unused) sewer grant, totalled over $300,000 [[USD]].

Twice, the city of Westminster sought to declare for bankruptcy; the first effort, in 2001, failed after creditors rejected a payout plan. In early 2004, the state agencies agreed to relinquish their claims, provided that Westminster disincorporate.

Since then, the issue had been a debated topic in Westminster. That summer, the city council started a petition drive to gather enough signatures to place the matter of disincorporation on the ballot for the May 2005 elections. The council then proceeded to fire the city administrator, who opposed disincorporation. Those in favor of the matter, including then-mayor Phil Goplin, stated that disincorporation would keep the city from stagnating; without any cashflow or a sewer system, it is unable to attract the development of its neighboring municipalities.

The residents of Westminster voted to abolish their town charter on May 7, 2005. The disincorporation of the city of Westminster was only the eleventh such occurrence in Texas since 1975. With the loss of its charter, the city retains its name as a community, but is officially an [[unincorporated area|unincorporated part]] of Collin County. Therefore, maintenance and other services of the former city are now the responsibility of Collin County. Through an agreement with the city's creditors, the debts are considered void.

Had Westminster remained incorporated after the election, the city's sales tax receipts would have been withheld until half the debt was repaid. A former city mayor was running for election, in case the vote failed. Opponents of the decision worry now of the loss of Westminster's history, as well as possible annexation from neighboring [[Anna, Texas|Anna]].