Reprint from the Progress Times - September 19, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

 

Hidalgo County to keep tax rate at 59 cents

 

By Ricky Reynoso

Hidalgo County Commissioners are now proposing to keep the property tax rate at 59 cents per $100 valuation—the same as last year. However, with appraised values going up, this is, in effect, a tax increase.

The 59-cent tax rate would increase total tax revenues from $138,813,000 to $152,197,000. That’s a $13.38 million, or 9.64 percent, tax increase.

During a public hearing on the proposed tax rate held Tuesday, September 16, Hidalgo County Tax Assessor-Collector Armando Barrera announced the proposed rate. At a previous hearing, commissioners discussed lowering the tax rate as much as three cents to give taxpayers some relief from rising tax appraisals.

Objective Watchers of the Legal System (OWLS) member Fern McClaugherty said the county should do more to help alleviate the burden to the taxpayers.

“Though you say you’re not raising taxes, our appraised values are still going up and giving you all more money to play with,” McClaugherty said.  “We hear all the time how this department needs more money and these people need raises.  It’d be nice if you all put a freeze on the hiring and raises.”

McClaugherty said with the recent federal takeover of firms such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the county should be even more vigilant with spending.

“With these firms going under, it’s the taxpayer that has to bail them out again,” McClaughery said.  “You always want to give everybody a raise here, but give the taxpayer a raise and stop spending so much.”

Baker also voiced concerns with the appraised values of homes.

“According to the appraisal district, the value of my 40 year old home is the same as my neighbor’s two year old home,” Baker said.  “And when you keep the tax rate, I’m basically paying increasing taxes on a depreciating home.”

Baker agreed with McClaugherty, adding that the county should watch its spending much like residents have to.

“I for one haven’t had a raise and my family hasn’t either because we can’t afford it,” Baker said.  “We have to put our money back into our business to keep it going, put food on our table and pay our taxes.  I think lowering it would be the best thing to do.”

The county is scheduled to vote on the tax rate at a public meeting to be held on September 23 at 9:30 a.m. at the Hidalgo Administration Building’s Commissioners Court, located in the Administration building on 100 East Cano in Edinburg.

County Business

On the agenda was a request from the sheriff’s office requesting approval to accept a grant award for the Border Security Equipment and Technology (BSET) grant. 

      According to Chief Deputy Anacleto Martinez, the $363,000 grant came from the Governer’s Division of Emergency Management.  The motion was approved.

      Also approved was a request by the Health and Human Services Department to accept an SDI grant contract in the amount of $454,557.  Health and Human Services director Eddie Olivarez said the total grants awarded to the department including the current one is $620,466.

      The court also approved a request from the Urban County Department requesting authority to purchase a fire truck pumper.  The pumper would be purchased through the county’s awarded vendor Hall Buick Pontiac GMC and the amount is not to exceed $257,000.

Precinct 3 Matters

For Precinct 3, the court approved to pay and invoice in the amount of $63,315 to L&G Consulting Engineers Inc. for services rendered for the La Homa Road project.  Also approved were three payment invoices to Javier Hinojosa Engineering.  One in the amount of $2,000 for Western Palm Subdivision, one for $6,000 for Homeville Association Subdivision A and D, and another for the Homeville Association Subdivision D for $3,000.

During open forum, Mission resident Mayra Baker expressed concerns over flooding in the Glasscock Road area.

“I don’t know if any of you all go down Glasscock, but if you go from 5 mile line south it gets flooded on both sides of the road,” Baker said.  “There are some subdivisions in the area that are running pipes from their area and dumping the water into other people’s yards.”

Baker said the court needed to address the situation before it became more widespread.

“I know if it’s happening there and in areas like Alton, it’s probably happening county wide,” Baker said.  “I think the county should be aware of these subdivisions that are bailing themselves out and flooding other homes in the process.”

Scholarships Awarded

The court recognized Joseph Caballero and Rafael Cantu as recipients of the fall 2008 Hidalgo County Scholarship. Caballero, the son of county employee Zaira Caballero, is a freshman at South Texas College and is a native of Edinburg.  Cantu, also a county employee, is a resident of La Joya.

“On behalf of the county, we would like to congratulate the both of you,” said County Judge J.D. Salinas.  “We wish you continued success throughout your lives and are committed to the education of county employees and residents.”