Independence day

July 4, 2019

From our Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

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They fought for our freedom.

I celebrate that today.

This was better

Brutus

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Another group that we are not attracting.

July 3, 2019

We recently wrote about El Paso having the highest industrial property tax rate among the 50 largest cities in the United States during the 2018 tax year.

Next we talked about El Paso having the highest residential property tax rate for smaller homes and the second highest rate on larger homes in those same cities.

How did we compare on commercial properties (like call centers, transportation companies and others–as opposed to industrial facilities)?

El Paso had the third highest property tax rate on all sizes of commercial properties during that period.

People who own those kinds of commercial businesses will probably find it hard to justify moving to El Paso and facing the third highest property tax rates on their commercial businesses and the first or second highest rates on their homes.

We deserve better

Brutus

1 Comment | City government, County Government, El Paso Independent School District | Permalink
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When taxes hit home

July 2, 2019

In How not to try to attract industry we pointed out that El Paso had the highest industrial tax rate among the 50 largest cities in the United States for the 2018 tax year.

According to the report we were citing El Paso also had the highest residential tax rate on homesteaded median value homes in areas where there were  assessment limits.

Median value evidently meant less than $150,000.  That means that we taxed the people living in lower value homes proportionately more than anyone else.

For homes valued between $150,000 and $300,000 El Paso’s tax rate was the second highest among the 50 largest cities.

People that manage businesses that are considering a move to El Paso probably fall into the higher home value range.

We offer them the opportunity to be like many El Pasoans and pay the second highest rate shown.

Is it any wonder that people are leaving town and that we don’t attract companies?

We deserve better

Brutus

3 Comments | City government, County Government, El Paso Independent School District | Permalink
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How not to try to attract industry

July 1, 2019

The Lincoln Institute and the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence jointly publish an annual report comparing property taxes among the 50 states.

The report for the 2018 tax year is out.  You can see the whole thing here.

This year’s report lists El Paso as having the highest property tax rate on industrial properties of the top 50 cities in the United States.

The report shows three breakdowns: smaller industrial firms (land and building value up to $100,000), mid-sized firms (land and building value up to $1 million), and larger firms ($25 million).

We had the highest tax rate in all three categories last year.

Is this the way to attract industry?

We will probably read some comments about the local governments granting tax abatements to incoming industrial firms.  Remember that those abatements have a finite life.  After that the firms end up paying the regular tax rate.

The people that operate those firms have to pay property taxes on their homes, or if they are carpetbaggers through their apartment rentals.

We deserve better

Brutus

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

EPISD agenda trick

June 30, 2019

EPISD held a special board meeting Monday, June 24, 2019.

From the agenda:

Subject of Meeting
1. Call to Order
2. Meeting to be Closed under Sections 551.071 and 551.072 of the Texas Government Code as follows:
A. Consultation with Legal Counsel Concerning Legal Issues Relating To:
1. Sale of Surplus Properties IFB 19-008 and Contract of Sale Between EPISD and MIMCO, Inc. for the Property Known as NE Tennis Center, Described as a Portion of Tract 5, Block 6, Castner Range Subdivision No 1, City of El Paso, El Paso County, Texas; Pursuant to Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 and 551.072
Closed Session Verbiage
Any final action as a result of this discussion will be taken at the re-opening of this meeting, later during the Open Session or at a subsequent meeting.
3. Discuss and Take Appropriate Action Regarding the Sale of Surplus Properties IFB 19-008 and Contract of Sale Between EPISD and MIMCO, Inc. for the Property Known as NE Tennis Center, Described as a Portion of Tract 5, Block 6, Castner Range Subdivision No 1, City of El Paso, El Paso County, Texas
(To allow the Board to take action if needed)
4. Order Canvassing Returns/Votes and Declaring Results of June 15, 2019, Board of Trustees Runoff Election
(To comply with Texas Election Code Sections 67.002, 67.003, 67.004, and 67.016)
5. Oath of Office to Members of the Board of Trustees
(To administer the Oath of Office to newly elected Trustees in Districts 3 and 6)
6. Election of Board Officers
(To comply with requirements in Board Policy BDAA [Legal and Local])
7. Selection of Delegate and Alternate to 2019 TASA/TASB Conference
(The assembly is the foundation of TASB’s governance structure and provides critical direction as TASB represents members’ interest before state and national policymakers)
8. Adjournment

Notice that they planned to hold a closed meeting and then come out into open session and vote on what to do.

What is really significant is that they scheduled doing this before items 4 and 5 which would recognize new board members.

Evidently the old group did not want the new guys to mess things up.

We deserve better

Brutus

9 Comments | El Paso Independent School District | Permalink
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