Sunday, April 26, 2015

Watch The Other Hand

It has been reported that the assessed value of homes in Georgetown are up 11 percent over last year.  The average Georgetown home is valued at $251,986 in 2015 versus $227,025 last year.

This seems like a great opportunity to hold the city budget increase to no more than inflation plus population growth(5.89% over the last 10 years).  If the State of Texas can meet this metric, why can't Georgetown?  With assessed valuation up 11%, the tax rate can be reduced significantly so that any property owner can expect no more than 5.89% increase in their property tax bill, unless they have made improvements.  Insist that your city representatives look out for you!

Let your council person know that just talking about tax rate is meaningless.  Any discussion has to include assessed valuation and thus total tax paid by the property owner.  The "compact with the voter" with respect to a cap on the tax rate for the proposed road bonds is just empty rhetoric.  It is the total dollars extracted from the property owner that is important to him/her.

Of course your Williamson County and School Board representatives play the same "game" and focus on tax rate instead of total taxes paid to each entity.  Hold them accountable to vote in your best interest when budgets are formulated and approved.

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