Some residents on County Road 4044 on the west side of Cedar Creek Lake may be voting, registering cars and paying taxes in the wrong county.
The residents now do business in Kaufman County, but county officials in Henderson and Kaufman Counties suspect they may actually reside in Henderson County.
The Kaufman County Commissioners Court reviewed the issue May 24, 2017, in a work session attended by Henderson County Attorney Clint Davis.
In question is whether the county line runs in a straight line or jogs to the south along County Road 4044, which is also known as County Line Road. The value of the disputed territory is estimated to be $5 million.
The issue last came to light more than a decade ago when a former Kaufman County Precinct 4 Commissioner objected to maintaining County Road 4044 because he believes the area belongs to Henderson County.
A 1993 resolution calls for Henderson County to maintain County Line Road, but Kaufman County still makes repairs and cleans up the right-of-way at least part of the time.
Current Precinct 4 Commissioner Jakie Allen said he maintains several roads in the disputed area that should be overseen by Henderson County instead.
The Kaufman County District Attorney's Office uncovered a 1890 survey that may be used to settle the matter.
Officials with both counties said they want to settle the matter without a lawsuit.
Kaufman County Judge Bruce Wood said the county has an obligation to "make it legal," and that he would like to accomplish it before new tax statements go out in the Fall of 2017.
Residents in the disputed area are divided on which county they prefer with some noting taxes, fees and insurance rates would be less expensive in Henderson County.