In the old days of colonial America, the tax collectors for the King were tarred and feathered and run out of town.
And even before that, in England, tax collectors were the scourge of the peasantry who sought the protection of popular defenders like Robin Hood.
No one, apparently, likes them very much. But municipalities, districts and the county depend on their collection of taxes to maintain a certain level of services. The money has to come from somewhere.
That's where people like Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector Tony Yzaguirre come in. Yzaguirre has been the county tax guy since 1989, 26 years, or a little over a quarter century.
He must be doing something right. After all, it is an elected position at the whim of the county's voters.
The recent arrest of a former tax-office employee – ex-Special Projects Coordinator Antonio Menchaca – who was charged by the Brownsville Police Department with tampering with a governmental record in connection with a property deed, has not involved his office, Yzaguirre said.
"He used to work for the county, but what he did after that is his business," he said.
In another case involving Menchaca, his company LomaAlta Investments, LLC was named a defendant in a civil lawsuit Hilda Maricela Trevino Garcia filed in state district court Oct. 2, alleging she was victimized in a real estate scheme.
Undaunted, Yzaguirre says that his record is open for all to see.
He said he feels so strongly about his performance in improving the efficiency of his office that he is willing to take his chances with the voters and is running in the March 1, 2016 Democratic Party primary.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Cameron County for your trust and continued support in allowing me to serve as your Tax Assessor-Collector," he said in a press release Friday. "It is an honor to work for the people of Cameron County and I sincerely ask for your continued trust as I seek re-election to this office."
So far, no allegations of wrongdoing have touched Yzaguirre or the departments in his office.
Since he has been in office, the number of taxing jurisdictions has risen from nine to 52 with a combined tax levy of $277,718,247.
Yzaguirre said that having the county tax collector consolidate the tax collection has proven to be one of the most efficient ways to reduce waste and duplication of services.
"Tax collection consolidation is one of the easiest, most tried, tested and proven ways to eliminate duplication of services, improve efficiency and reduce government cost for citizens."
No one, of course, likes to pay taxes, but it is a fact of life that they must be paid. Yzaguirre says he wants to make it easier and less painful for all involved.
"We have increased the number of branch offices from three to nine offices located throughout the county. Three of the nine offices in Los Fresnos, Port Isabel and Harlingen are new buildings and include drive-up lanes. Our property tax division and motor vehicle registration division are now open for business 24 hours a day, seven days a week by going on line at www.cameroncountytax.org. You can pay by cash, check, escrow payments, credit cards and now the Internet."
In those 26 years that he has held the office, Yzaguirre said that he has witnessed Cameron County explode in growth and now counts with a population of 420,000 people. Toward that end, he says he has insisted on continuing education on tax matters for his employees so they can stay up to date on the Texas State Tax Code and its Motor Vehicle Laws.
And he's not modest about mentioning that his office has received three County Best Practice Awards for Innovation from the Texas Association of Counties. The street light district and Auto Crime Enforcement Task Force initiated in Cameron County were the first in the state.
Yzaguirre is a Certified Professional Collector and has served as a director and committees member of the Tax Assessor-Collector Association.
He also serves as an ex-oficio member of the Cameron County Appraisal District board of directors and the Cameron County Elections Committee.
So far, no one else has announced their candidacy for Yzaguirre's position.
Yzaguirre is a Certified Professional Collector and has served as a director and committees member of the Tax Assessor-Collector Association.
He also serves as an ex-oficio member of the Cameron County Appraisal District board of directors and the Cameron County Elections Committee.
So far, no one else has announced their candidacy for Yzaguirre's position.
23 comments:
Juan yes he has been there too long. By the way folks along the way tony has screwed many people to be where he is at today, you do remember tony or do you want me to publish a long list of the many folks who have helped you and then you turned your back on them ala Benedict Arnold style. You all might think highly of Tony but to me he is just another joe rivera, gilberto hinojete, juan magallanes, ben uresti, luis saenz, aurora de la garza etc etc etc type of dumbocrat. Same old , same old. sewage, i hate all these mothers and the corruption they carry with them. .
"Tanto va el cantaro al agua hasta que se rompe"
One of the things that has always bugged me is that this asshole wants the tax payments made out. This is this dick's way of keeping his name in front of the public so when it comes times to voting there is a name people recognize. Tony, I'm paying my taxes to the county not to you which is why I've never put your name on anything, nor should anyone else.
Juan, while you provide pertinent information on your stories...the blimp posts that he is excited about his costume for Halloween coming in. I wonder what he is going to dress up as...Paquita la del Barrio? a fat, grotesque snow white? Or will he paint himself green and go as Fiona? Who knows dudes...lol!
We keep electing an idiot that does not remember what happened to his personal dealing in 2011.
This guy is just as corrupt as the other county elected.
Lieyingburger has already made their usual "contribution".
you are NEXT Menchaca has spilled the Beans .......
So it is known here at the whore house that you are going to be indicted .. that Ybarra and Menchaca are spewing vomit about YOU
va pal bote con menchaca y puga. izaguirre que no se te caiga el jabon en la regadera porque RUFFUS anda suelto y con ganas.
To all the agencies that are investigating tony yzaguirre, all you have to do is question Jessie Garcia, they go way back to when Jessie was at the appraisal district was fired and then the next day was working at the tax office. Jessie knows where all the skeletons are buried, just ask him. I know that luis saenz will not do a thing because tony and luis are relatives. monkey
Its so sad that this country has accepted lies from our elected officials who think that just because they're continuously elected to office that they can do what they want and claim that there is no conflict!!! Now, Tony Yzaguirre thinks we the "voters of Cameron County" are to believe that he finds nothing wrong with his dealings with an ex-county employee accused with fraud and suspicious real estate dealings??? Then he is expected for us to believe that he did not know the mother or sister of this Menchaca character??? Really Tony, I wonder if your political contributions form support that or did you keep it off the contributions because you "had" an idea of what they were doing??? Was it really a coincidence that Menchaca's family get the "blessing" of our county commissioners to make money from title and renewal registrations??? Making $5.00 a transaction adds up to a lot??? Yet, the county charges a $3.00 convienence fee for some transactions??? Something isn't right??? As to the county commissioners, you should be ashamed!!! Someone should have caught this a long time ago!!!
There's a very aggressive underground political revolution taking place as you read this. We are tired and embarrassed and quite frankly exhausted of hearing and reading about these "Bozo's" shenanigans (Luis Saenz, Tony yzaguirre). Tony has been there way too long, he needs to go and his Compadre Luis Saenz is headed in the same direction. Fortunately, there's a ray of light for our Chalupa Women's group, we have decided to support one campaign only and that campaign is for Cameron County Court at Law #5 and our candidate after careful scrutiny, is Mr. Noe Robles, a fine gentleman. We have 26 women members, plus husbands, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends. Thank you Juan for enlightening the community.
Tony, you are not in the clear, my dog may throw his hat in the ring, after all he'd be in good company, because you all are a bunch of corrupted dogs.
We all know who gets the info on delinquent taxes and "buy" them on a dime.
Tony yzaguirre es como el chingon de Matamoros pero disfrasado... Cobran cuota por tanta pinche transa preguntenle a Mel Sosa .... Omar y victor son otros pinches mamomes que se creen la gran cagada deben de limpiar a esas mierdas de la corte .... Ese es mi comentario agusado raza por kien bota yo poreso no voto porque esta lleno el mundo de lobos disfrasados......
This old goon needs to hang up the gloves already, the county needs a fresh young mind to bring innovation, new ideas, someone that is for the citizens of Cameron County and not to benefit from the poor peoples money by raising property taxes to fat up his pocket. Out with the old in with the new.
Where does a young man of limited resources come up with so much money to buy so many properties !! That is the question ??? A ex county employee buying land on county time there is a giant RED flag here !!! Who is funding this ?????
Ever heard of bank credit? Perhaps?
Don't kid yourself " bank credit"......working a minimum wage job and he's going to get credit to be buying all the real estate properties he did? Bullshit ! Lots of people in different offices are involved, he was their pendejo doing the buying with their money. Why doesn't Saenz investigate? Too many elected officials involved !
Who are you kidding !!! Bank credit your ass !!! Over 3000 properties
Why do you think menchaca was indicted !! Saenz is on it !! Dude
The tax man should retire to his hacienda, "Fundio Escondido".
Mr. Robles and jesus Garcia are the only options in that race. Estela is a complete imbecile.
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