Elon Musk's SpaceX turns Starbase into an official city

In Cameron County, Texas, SpaceX has successfully established the community of Starbase as an official city, a significant step taken by the local residents in an election held over the weekend. A total of 212 residents, primarily SpaceX employees, voted in favor of the incorporation, while only six voted against it. Elon Musk, who has a home in the area, expressed support for this development through social media. The move to incorporate Starbase has been under discussion for several years, culminating in a petition that prompted the election. For now, SpaceX has control over the area, which had sparse population levels before the company's arrival. As a Type C city, Starbase can impose a property tax of up to 1.5%, which will go towards local governance including the key positions of a mayor and two commissioners. Bobby Peden, who serves as the vice president of test and launch operations at SpaceX, is set to become the first mayor of Starbase. The inclusion of SpaceX personnel in local governance has raised concerns among nearby residents, some of whom believe the company has negatively impacted the environment. The intense activity from rocket launches has altered Boca Chica Beach, making it unrecognizable to long-time visitors. Concerns regarding environmental sustainability are not new to SpaceX; the company previously faced fines for issues such as illegal dumping of wastewater. As the newly formed city seeks to govern itself, a proposed bill in the Texas legislature aims to allow city officials to regulate access to Boca Chica Beach and nearby roads during rocket launches, further complicating relationships with the neighboring communities including Brownsville. City governance will begin with representatives strongly linked to SpaceX, influencing the balance of local interests and environmental considerations moving forward.