Vote Delayed on Property Tax Protest
Commissioners may act June 17 on commercial appraisal roll
By Amy Smith, 4:40PM, Mon. Jun. 2, 2014
After a lengthy executive session Monday on the prospect of filing a petition to challenge the county's commercial appraisal roll, County Commissioners opted to punt the item for at least two weeks.
"We need additional time to review and work through this matter," County Judge Sam Biscoe said afterward. Commissioners will discuss and take action June 17 at the latest, with the possibility of voting sooner, he said.
Biscoe called the special meeting Monday in response to growing concerns over the state's lopsided property tax laws with loopholes designed to benefit large commercial property owners. Meanwhile, homeowners in Austin and elsewhere are faced with rising tax bills to help pay for public schools, libraries, and other local services.
Residents attending Monday's meeting held placards demanding that commercial property owners start paying their fair share. "We pay because they don't," some signs read.
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Amy Smith, June 9, 2014
Nov. 28, 2014
County Commissioners, property taxes, commercial property owners, homeowners
