By Naxiely Lopez-Puente
Staff Writer
Valley Morning Star
EDINBURG — Hidalgo County commissioners passed a $308.6 million total budget earlier this week, cutting the tax rate by a half cent and bracing for a $6 million shortfall.
Of the $308.6 million total budget, about $220.3 million will go to the general fund budget, which covers maintenance and operations, and about $28.3 million will be used to pay the debt service.
Other budgeted monies include $22.7 million for the special revenue fund and $37.2 million for the enterprise fund.
And although the county’s financial outlook seems positive based on previous financial trends, there are several factors that could derail even the best laid plans.
“The only thing I’ll say is, ‘God bless us,’” County Judge Richard Cortez said Tuesday after a unanimous vote to adopt the budget. “We have a lot of uncertainties going forward with the courthouse being built; with two new courts coming up; potential aquirance of buildings.
“I hope we’ve done a good job in preparing this budget.”
UPWARD TREND
“The county’s financial position has increased over the past few years,” budget officer Sergio Cruz said in a letter to commissioners Sept 17.
Cruz noted that the county’s taxable values grew, on average, about 5.2% each year during the past five years. That’s a huge annual increase when compared to the five years before that, when the average growth was 0.8% per year.
“(It’s) an indicator that we are moving forward in a positive direction,” Cruz wrote, also noting that in 2019, the county grew by about 5.02% or the equivalent of $1.8 billion in taxable values.
Commissioners expect to levy $207.6 million in total property taxes in 2020. That’s a 3.1% increase when compared to 2019’s $201.3 million.
EDINBURG — Hidalgo County commissioners passed a $308.6 million total budget earlier this week, cutting the tax rate by a half cent and bracing for a $6 million shortfall.
Of the $308.6 million total budget, about $220.3 million will go to the general fund budget, which covers maintenance and operations, and about $28.3 million will be used to pay the debt service.
Other budgeted monies include $22.7 million for the special revenue fund and $37.2 million for the enterprise fund.
And although the county’s financial outlook seems positive based on previous financial trends, there are several factors that could derail even the best laid plans.
“The only thing I’ll say is, ‘God bless us,’” County Judge Richard Cortez said Tuesday after a unanimous vote to adopt the budget. “We have a lot of uncertainties going forward with the courthouse being built; with two new courts coming up; potential aquirance of buildings.
“I hope we’ve done a good job in preparing this budget.”
UPWARD TREND
“The county’s financial position has increased over the past few years,” budget officer Sergio Cruz said in a letter to commissioners Sept 17.
Cruz noted that the county’s taxable values grew, on average, about 5.2% each year during the past five years. That’s a huge annual increase when compared to the five years before that, when the average growth was 0.8% per year.
“(It’s) an indicator that we are moving forward in a positive direction,” Cruz wrote, also noting that in 2019, the county grew by about 5.02% or the equivalent of $1.8 billion in taxable values.
Commissioners expect to levy $207.6 million in total property taxes in 2020. That’s a 3.1% increase when compared to 2019’s $201.3 million.
12 comments:
were taxes raised...or did appraisals go up?
There is a difference. Anyone able to explain this to us...
UNBELIEVABLE!!!
I guess Hidalgo County is an all gringo county maybe that's why. Here gringos don't pay taxes.
They all have historical homes that were built last year
Cameron County increased taxes in order to give elected officials a huge raise; probably in January. Those greedy bastards will do it. They have no empathy with the public. Hidalgo County is a progressive government and have not taken terrible deals like our local dummies. Seems like Elon Musk wants to own Boca Chica and cut all the citizens out. If they buy up all the property out there, will SpaceX pay property taxes or will it be covered by the current tax abatement approved by the county commissioners. And how many jobs have we gotten at SpaceX?????? Bad deals for the people of Cameron County who pay the bills. Our greedy Commissioners don't seem to care and are happy to waste "other people's money".
I TELL YOU AGAIN, THIS IS THE WORK OF EDDIE LUCIO JR EDDIE LUCIO III I AM NOT GOING TO MENTION THE OTHER PERSON. ALEX, PONTE TRUCHA GUEY. I TALK THE SHIT OF LUCIÓ WORK, LAZY, GREEDY BASTARDS.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
GO PROTEST YOUR APPRASIAL TAX INCREASE...
This is WHY county COMMISSIONERS want a raise. Less taxes less money for the budget.
AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott triumphantly delivered his top campaign promise to voters Wednesday when he signed into law a bill — detested by city and county leaders — that caps how much local government can collect in property taxes.Under the new law, cities and counties can collect only 3.5% more in property tax revenue than they did the previous year,Previously, cities and counties could collect up to 8% more in property tax revenue a year,Adopt the no new revenue rate’ is all they have to tell a local tax entity and then if they don’t — if they go to 3.5 or 2.5 — the voter will decide if that’s acceptable.”CURRENTLY, MILLION OF TEXANS are fighting the annual increases in the appraised value of their homes, yet few ever show up to the board hearings where school districts, cities, counties and other governments are actually setting the tax rates that increase their tax bills.
Protest info
The law says tax protesters are "entitled on request to a copy of the data, schedules, formulas and all other information the chief appraiser will introduce at the hearing." No charge, but you have to ask.
No backstabbing
An appraisal review board cannot raise a taxable value of a property of someone who has come in for a hearing.
August 21, 2019 at 10:12 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Is this idota with the lopez stores if yes I will no longer shopt there pinche idiota I will now go to HEB or Wal-Mart so will a lot of people that's why these stores are closing down becase of idiots like him in the family
August 21, 2019 at 11:30 AM
EDDIE LUCIO JR
EDDIE LUCIO III
THE 2 OF YOU SUCK!!!
CAMERON COUNTY WILL GET BETTER GETTING EDDIE LUCIO JR EDDIE LUCIO III OUT OF OFFICE.
TAX YOUR LIQUOR, YOU BLOATED BASTARD.
Texas tax machine
Senator Eddie Lucio from Brownsville is proposing a new tax. One cent per ounce on sweetened soft drinks. His argument for this tax is the obesity problem needs addressed.
Juan, great Hidalgo County reporting! I know about taxes. At Bingo, I won $40 and Uncle Sam took his share. Phooooey, I know! I won with la calavera, La dama, el nopal, las jaras and la picha! When I heard "la picha," I screamed BINGO! ja ja ja ja ja
- Booby Weightman-Ramirez
I never shop at Lopez stores just because of that idiota and my friends won't shop there also
@October 1, 2019 at 7:10 AM
Lee Roy Juanson:
What bingo so I can go and yell "El Diablote" cupcake jahajahajaha
The percentage blood sucking collecting Linebarger Goggan Blair have been researching properties in the "hopes" of fucking the taxpaying public to fill their stockings this year! As for me and my family, NO CHRISTMAS this year because I just received four years of fucking because the Homestead was revoked! And then these blood sucking POS give you only 21 days to pay off what is owed without penalty! And that' because I haven't received the 2019 tax statement that will include the CC commissioners fucking of 4% and not including the fucking of 4% percent by the City of Harlingen commissioners.
Of course, this is great news for LGB because of the percentage they get OR they file suit and take your property and then sell it for more than you owed BUT do not bother to let you know by law that they sold it for a profit and by LAW owe you money! But us stupid taxpayers don't know that because our elected officials are in office to make money to pay for their pay raises or worthless projects!
If there is anyone who knows how to cut off these blood suckers? Please post something, at least to minimize the damages, if anything! I would prefer to fuck over LGB and the elected officials BUT that' asking for too much!
So, when I read that the rich suck asses like McGowan gets away with not having to pay their fair share of taxes, that really pisses me off!
So, when it is predicted that the county is looking at over $200 million in collections! I wonder how many other homeowners this LGB fucked over for their percentage?
What' the sad part is these POS LGB won't even listen to reason OR much less work with you! They want to take your property, period!
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