The Denton County Commissioners Court approved a motion to conduct a May 8 election on the incorporation of Providence Village into a city.

At a Feb. 9 Little Elm Town Council meeting, Providence residents requested that the council release their area from the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, with the expressed intent to become a city.

From there, organizers sought enough qualified signatures to call the election and got more than twice the amount necessary.

With the commissioners’ approval, Providence could be weeks away from becoming the county’s newest city.

Located along FM2931 and U.S. Highway 380, Providence Village began as a freshwater supply district in 2000. The development includes about 1,700 households and 5,000 residents.

Two members of the Commissioners Court were absent, but Precinct 1 County Commissioner Hugh Coleman and Precinct 4 County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell cast a vote to conduct the election along with County Judge Mary Horn.

The court also voted to appoint county elections administrator Frank Phillips as presiding officer over the election.

Providence resident Clint Shipp attended Tuesday’s meeting, and when prompted by Coleman to offer any words, Shipp thanked the court and especially Coleman for his help in the process.

“It’s been a long journey — about five years in the works — and it all came to a head very quickly,” he said.

Shipp also complimented Phillips on his handling of the election process.

Horn said the upcoming election was great for the Providence residents.

“That’s what they wanted to do,” she said. “I look forward to the election.”

BJ LEWIS can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is blewis@dentonrc.com .