Talk of East Texas

By Scott

August 12, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

At the very least the appraisal district should be looking at the real estate advertising. If a person is asking $500,000 for their property, then it should not have a taxable value of $300,000 because the owner obviously believes that is not a fair value.

By MAllen

August 12, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

The state of Texas should require the reporting of dollar amount of all commercial transactions. Commercial properties is way undervalued on the tax rolls in Gregg County.

By Scott

August 11, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

With respect to the growing tax valuations. Why not structure the law such that, when you sell the property, the increase (if there is one) in value from when it was purchased until it was sold is spread over the years it was held and taxes are adjusted either up or down based upon the calculated values. This would base the taxes upon real figures (purchase and sale prices) rather than estimates.

Second, to discourage disputing reasonable valuations, why not place the appraised valued as the same as a value for eminent domain. If property must be taken for a road or the like, the property tax value sets the price. If people were required to sell for the property tax value, they would be less likely to contest values that are reasonable.

Third, I totally agree that the tax rate should automatically be reset to a rate that results in taxes being imposed in an amount equal to the dollars generated the previous year. If the city management believes that additional funds are required, then justify the additional expenditures.

Fourth, overturn the Senior Citizen property tax freeze. The senior citizens benefit from the same fire, police, parks, libraries and the like that everyone else has. If you consider that they have a greater amount of free time to visit the library, senior center and parks, they likely benefit more than other citizens. If the city resident’s taxes are higher than they like, they can choose to move to a less expensive house or share their residence with another person.

Lastly, I am glad to see the city trying to revive the southern area. There is a large amount of existing infrastructure in the form of parks, roads, gas lines, water lines and sewer lines that are being underutilized due to the neglect of city management. Rather than continuing to expand the area covered by the city, why not clean up and consolidate open areas already within the city and encourage redevelopment. If the city has the right to do it, why not give residential construction a 10-year waiver on taxes and commercial construction a 5-year waiver. This, combined with aggressive code enforcement and tax-sales, would supercharge redevelopment of the southern portion of Longview. Such an offer could be set for only the next five years so that it benefits early movers and then expires. This could be a game-changing move for the redevelopment of southern Longview now that Wal-Mart has brought in additional retail choices.

By Larry Darnell

August 11, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Every year, property owners have to decide if they should protest their tax evaluations. Every year, it becomes even more evident that there must be a plan to increase valuations so that tax revenue will increase to the taxing entities. Every year, my evaluations were increased by an average of $10,000. This year, my evaluation was jumped by $40,000. I sold the house at $20,000 less than the evaluation. It’s time to call in Robin Hood and stop Notingham’s plunderer. I say that in jest, but when valuations are falling everywhere else, why must they increase here?

By AirBorne

August 8, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Whatever the motivation for the city council to reject a tax increase was, the results still leave homeowners saddled with near crippling tax burdens due each January. I applaud the Mayor and Council members in attempting to nix “fat” or “wants” in the budget before calling for tax increases. An admirable trait attributed to true public servants. However the fact remains that excessive taxation affects all economic activity. If our property values increase then the tax rate should decrease if the city budget is in balance. Likewise with all other revenue streams generatated by city/local government. In effect returning the money and economic power to those that grant it in the first place, the taxpayer.

By MAllen

August 8, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

What city services are going to be cut? We will not get something for nothing. To improve the quality of life in Longview, maybe the city should cut some expenses, and raise taxes.

This is Smoke and Mirrors, the not raising taxes, with all the free mowing, free trash pick up, raises for employees, etc., etc. the devil is in the details.

Raise our taxes and improve Longview. Oooooops I forgot the mayor and city council already did via the Gregg County Appraisal District.