These city budget-related changes can lower your property tax bill right now. My commitment to you

i created this “top 11” Tax Code changes two years ago and share it widely.

everything i highlighted can be implemented by harker heights right now without tax code change. just a willingness to be transparent to citizens

❋Truth-in-Taxation training

BEFORE any city council member votes on the city budget, require he/she takes training to understand the public notice requirements to the public

❋ Cease Unused Increment Rate taxation

Current Tax Code says a city may reach back 3-years to collect taxes it didn’t before.

We don’t need a Tax Code change to cease this practice. If the city needs more than the 3.5% Voter-Approval-Rate in any given year, it should come to you to justify the need, not change their minds up to 3-years later

❋Projects used to justify taxes won't be changed without voter approval

If the city justifies taxes for a project like a Capital improvement, it shouldn’t then be able to say, “gee, we’re going to use this extra money to justify a Dana Peak park takeover”

A 5-year budget is a commitment to the taxpayer. 

❋ Written policy for retained reserves

Your taxpayer dollars over and above the city reserve should be constrained by written policy. No more “we’ll let you know when we have enough of your money.”

❋ STOP lowballing city revenue

A common practice - if the city collects more revenue than it needs, allocate it to property tax revenue for the subsequent year