City of Waxahachie advertises private businesses on official city letterhead for profit

The City of Waxahachie has created partnerships with private companies where the City advertises the services on official City of Waxahachie letterhead and in turn the City receives revenue as residents sign up for these services.

The City of Waxahachie issued press releases and has sent direct mailers to residents on official Waxahachie letterhead. The notices are not always clear that the information is an advertisement for private companies.

In one case in October 2011 the City of Waxahachie made it clear that the City would profit from this venture and the services were being offered by a private company called Texzon Utilities.

However, in October 2010 and May 2012 the City of Waxahachie did not make it clear the City was in an advertising agreement with Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA) and did not state if the City would profit from the agreement. In fact, the wording of City of Waxahachie press releases mentioned a "partnership" but the wording was vague and gives Waxahachie residents the impression that these are services offered in conjunction of city services.

Be aware that these are advertisements for private companies and are in no way services offered by the City of Waxahachie although the City is advertising these services directly to you on official City of Waxahachie letterhead.

WFAA reported on May 1 and May 2 about a similar agreement in Plano and other cities in the metroplex. As Jonathan Betz reported in his story, Carrollton opted out of the partnership because "it was confusing to our citizens."

Residents in Plano and Waxahachie have already started to voice their concerns about the wording of advertisements being deceitful by not making it clear that the arrangement is simply an advertising agreement that the cities profit from and that the cities are in no way involved with the actual services. Betz reported Tuesday about a woman in Plano that felt duped by the advertisement.

Click on one of the links below to read the City of Waxahachie press releases.

October 8, 2010 City of Waxahachie press release advertising Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA).

October 25, 2011 City of Waxahachie press release advertising Texzon Utilities.

May 2, 2012 City of Waxahachie press release advertising Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA).

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