Despite passionate pleas from local taxing opponents, the Cameron County commission has voted Thursday 4-1 to raise property taxes by 2 percent citing a $3,000,123 deficit for the 2011-2012 year.
The "yes" votes were County Judge Carlos Cascos, Precinct 3 commissioner David Garza, Precinct 4 commissioner Dan Sanchez, and Precinct 2 commissioner Ernie Hern
andez.The lone "nay" vote was cast by Precinct 1 commissioner Sofia Benavides.
As the commissioners debated the cuts or fee increases they could make to balance the budget, they opted to increase bridge and pedestrian tolls as well as decreasing the amount transferred to the county self-insurance fund and indigent health payments to Valley Baptist.
They declined to forgo property-tax discounts for early payers or approve furloughs for county employees and elected officials as Benavides had proposed.
The following are working-paper figures used by commissioners to make their decision to raise taxes.
SCOFFLAW REVENUES: $256,000
HEALTH INSURANCE TRANSFER ($400): $460,000
DECREASE IN INDIGENT HEALTH CARE TRANSFER $150,000
INCREASE IN TOLLS (COMMERCIAL AND PEDESTRIAN) $560,000
DECREASE IN AUTO ALLOWANCES $72,541
MISCELLANEOUS CUTS: $20,000 (bail-bond administration.)
If the commissioners had approved the denial of discounts for those who paid their taxes early, the savings to the county would have been $875,750, leaving a deficit of $606,373.
Under one proposal, a half-day furlough for county employees that would equal to one hour every pay period per county employee (26 hours per year), the $606,373 would have been saved.
However, the support for the furloughs was not there and the majority opted to raise the taxes on all property owners.
12 comments:
(If the commissioners had approved the denial of discounts for those who paid their taxes early, the savings to the county would have been $875,750, leaving a deficit of $606,373.)
Oh gimme a break there, Sofie's spokesperson. It would not have been a savings at all because it would make the county go out for loans to make up for the cash they wouldn't have. Taxpayers paying early means the county has money on hand to pay out shit. Loans equals more debt, numbnut.
Does anyone see the 500 pound elephant standing in the middle of the room? This dumbass dressed as a flag and the stars are on his ass, as if to state he's cleaning has ass with it! As a Vet I'm offended! Why does the commissioner's court pledge allegiance to the flag before each meeting and let this ass hole desecrate it in this way! Kick him out!
Cameron County could save some money if Ernie Hernandez quit putting up his "Look at Me" signs around his precinct. He is using tax dollars for self promotion and that's a waste.
The Sofia spoke person wants to keep his job, lazy ass bereaucrat. She is outright fucking dumb, you know it, as does everone else. Open up your eyes.
DEMOCRATS DO WHAT THEY DO BEST AND THAT IS RAISE TAXES. CARLOS CASCOS YOU HAVE EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED ME BUT THEN AGAIN YOU WERE A democRAT. YOU JUST EXPOSED YOUR TRUE COLORS A
"RINO" REPUBLICAN IN NAME ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!
AS FOR BENAVIDES ISN'T SHE UP FOR RE-ELECTION? SHE'S JUST TRYING TO SAVE HER ASS!!!!! VIEJA CULERA!!
"Does anyone see the 500 pound elephant standing in the middle of the room? "
Wow! Who is the real dumbass here? The flag you so eloquently preface and the reference to your being a vet, gives this person you call a dumbass every right to dress as he chooses. This is not Russia! We are fortunate to live in a nation that allows every individual to express his or her feeling without fear of retribution as long as no other person's rights are violated. At least this person has the balls to let the commission know how he feels about the tax increase. Pendejo(a)!
Well, to the person who says that the county would have to borrow money if it did not offer the discount: maybe, but that depends on the amount of the reserves and how quickly taxes are paid. If the county did borrow money, it would not be at an effective annual interest rate of 12%, which is what the discount is equal to.
To me, the discount is an indefensible subsidy for the wealthiest taxpayers, including rich people and large companies, and it comes at the expense of the everyday folks who struggle to pay their taxes.
The commenter criticizes Sophie, but at least she is offering solutions, including unpaid days for herself, in order to balance the budget without a tax increase.
Solutions would have been taking a pay cut. That was a solution she was unwilling to take in a recorded vote. So stop rewriting history, faggot, your bullshit that she was willing take a pay cut.
If you have an axe to grind against facts, then go take your bullshit over to Tony Yzaguire who stated to the Court that eliminating the discount would be a problem. Tell that to all the county commissioners that were like are you fucking kidding me with getting rid of the discount?
It's really sad you have to talk about the wealthiest when mortgage companies force middle class property owners to pay it in October because it would save their customers money. Eliminating the discount right now would cause problems for taxpayers who would have to come up with more cash to pay their mortgages which pay for their property taxes. This isn't just me talking. It's most of the sane Democrats in county government talking.
Fact is the auditor stated at a meeting that the county would have to borrow money and it would cost approximately $140,000 to do so. Raising taxes and leaving the discount also benefits our fixed income citizens. The county offers a freeze on the dollar amount paid by anyone over 65 or disabled, many of which take advantage of the discount.
(Fact is the auditor stated at a meeting that the county would have to borrow money and it would cost approximately $140,000 to do so. Raising taxes and leaving the discount also benefits our fixed income citizens. The county offers a freeze on the dollar amount paid by anyone over 65 or disabled, many of which take advantage of the discount.)
I think Commissioner SoFea heard none of that. She was busy texting her political handlers in South Padre Island and Harlingen for help?
Pero quien chingaos invited a Cepillin el payasito de la tele a la commisioners meeting?
Dagoberto Barrera is as wet as they come, somebody check his birth certificate and that of his parents. What a piece of shit. American my ass... Second generation wetback turning his back on his own people, just like that worthless spic hero Cesar Chavez.
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