You asked for the job

January 9, 2019

Mr. Max Higgs sent this in as a response to our post New year’s resolutions.

We asked what resolutions we would like our local government officials to make and keep.

1. Remember you asked for the job.
2. Remember all your employers.
3. Do your job.

We deserve better

Brutus

Leave a Comment » | City government, County Government, El Paso Independent School District | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Attracting industry

January 8, 2019

Following up on the note about commercial property tax rates, let’s imagine that an industrial company wanted to move to El Paso and manufacture something.  Maybe they would like to make a component that one of the many plants in Mexico needs.

Or maybe the economic development people would like to attract a big manufacturer to town.

This might get in the way:

El Paso has the highest property tax rate for industrial concerns of the largest 50 cities in the United States.

Looking at the average rates we are close to twice as high.

We deserve better

Brutus

 

18 Comments | City government, County Government, El Paso Independent School District | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

A little help here, please

January 7, 2019

Can any of the readers tell us what the ramifications of this city council agenda item are:

A Resolution that 1) the City Council hereby supports the introduction and passage of legislation during the current Texas legislative session creating a municipal management district (“District”) encompassing the City-owned approximately 2,313 acres situated in the northeast part of the City of El Paso (“NE Parcel”) and exchanged with FSW Investments, LP (“FSW”) for approximately 44 acres situated in the northwest part of the City on November 13, 2018 through Ordinance No. 018871 provided that such legislation does not substantially differ from the legislation attached hereto as Exhibit A, which is incorporated hereby by reference and for all purposes; 2) the City Council hereby directs the City Manager to publish notice of intent to introduce legislation creating a municipal management district encompassing the NE Parcel as soon as possible, without waiting for closing on the land exchange transaction; and further directs the City Manager to submit legislation for the creation of said district following the required thirty (30) day waiting period following notice of intent publication; and 3) the City and FSW are currently negotiating a variety of issues regarding development of the NE Parcel and the District, which include without limitation, issues related to public improvements to be constructed, the method of financing of those improvements, and numerous other issues, which will require time to conclude. Therefore, this resolution in support of the legislation creating the District and directing the City Manager to initiate the District creation process does not constitute consent to the creation of this District as required by Section 59, Article XVI of the Texas Constitution, and the City specifically reserves the right to consent to the District.

We deserve better

Brutus

10 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Taxing us out of business

January 6, 2019

Let’s say that our job is to recruit new businesses to El Paso.

How should we try to get around this?

According to the 50-State Property Tax Comparison Study from the Lincoln Institute El Paso had the 4th highest commercial property tax rates of the largest 50 cities in the United States.

If you look at our rates and the average rates we are generally 1/3 higher than the other cities.

We deserve better

Brutus

10 Comments | City government, County Government, El Paso Independent School District | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Request for information

January 4, 2019

Can anyone tell us if this is true?

When the city has construction work done for itself city inspectors do not check the work.

We deserve better

Brutus

8 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

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