05/04/2017
Property Tax statements have gone out, and they show another dramatic increase in property valuations (appraised value).
Remember, John Scott has consistently fought to keep your city property taxes low!
Here is just one example:
John is speaking here, at the Oct 3, 2016 Friendswood City Council meeting, in favor of invoking an “effective tax rate”, vs. the higher tax rate that was proposed.
What’s the difference?
– An “Effective Tax Rate” means you, the property-owner, pays the same amount as last year, by changing the tax rate to account for the increase in Property Valuation. Friendswood’s financial policy demands a balanced budget. So, since the city revenue would be the same amount as last year, its spending would also remain the same. Most importantly, the property-owner would NOT pay more in city property taxes.
– Adopting a tax rate higher than the effective rate, even though it is lower than the previous rate, allows officials to say that they lowered your rate, while at the same time you pay more in taxes and the city gets a spending increase. How? By ignoring the main part of the property tax equation: Property Valuation. County Appraisal Districts set the appraised value of each property. Appraisals have been going up every year, so even with a slightly lower tax rate, property-owners still pay more in city property taxes, which means more city revenue and spending.
If the Effective Tax Rate had been adopted, you wouldn't be paying hundreds, or even thousands more in taxes this year.
