TaxInfo

State of Texas or State or State of Taxes?

Ever increasing property values have been driving tax bills steadily higher for many years in Galveston County. Continued efforts at the State level to reduce appraisal caps and limit the growth of local government resulted in some success, but not sustainable relief. Through multiple Legislative sessions, revenue limits and tax rate reductions (11% in 2006 and 33% in 2007) were approved for Texas school districts. Without revenue limits and appraisal cap reductions-homeowner savings will rapidly be eroded-in some of our neighborhoods, in less than 3 years.

Elected officials across Galveston County governments have responded in recent years to taxpayer outrage with more than 60% reducing rates in 2006 (see Governments Reducing Rates.pdf), the appropriate response to rising property values. Many governments have adopted senior and disabled tax ceilings which has greatly helped this segment of the taxpaying population. The majority of Galveston cities, along with the county, adopted resolutions supporting reduction of the appraisal cap which were then presented to Texas legislators. Hundreds of Galveston taxpayers have benefited from training on how to “effectively” lower their property values (see EffectivelyProtestTaxes.pdf). There is more, however, to be done, both locally and in Austin, to achieve a tax system that will not cripple Texas property owners.

Watch this website for updates on local property tax statistics.
Galveston County Tax Facts.pdf
Galveston County Government -- Bang for the Buck?
State of the Tax Office
Appraisal Reform Task Force Report