PROPERTY TAX APPRAISALS GOING UP
Property appraisals in the county are going up an average of 10 percent this year, Washington County Chief Appraiser Willy Dilworth explained to the Appraisal District Board at their monthly meeting this (Tuesday) morning. Dilworth said that his office is wrapping up this year’s appraisals and they are still waiting on mineral values. He said that the total appraised property inside the city went from $1.2 Billion to $1.3 Billion. Total property values in the county increased from last year’s $2.6 Billion to $2.97 Billion this year.
Dilworth said that he expects tax appraisal notices to go out in the mail the end of next week. The state comptroller’s office requires that the local appraisals fall between 95 percent and 105 percent of the value the state places on the county’s property. Dilworth said that the appraisals are based on property sale values. While those values have been going up, he said some sales are so incredibly high that they fall outside the historical norm. He explained that traditionally those are excluded, but the number of them in the county is increasing. Dilworth said that his office may have to file an appeal this year if the state finds that the appraised values are too low in the county.
Than they wonder why people rob, its because they cant afford anything! Not on low salaries and high rent/ or high taxes!!! Brenham use to be a nice town to grow a family in….not anymore!!!!!
We pay taxes when we buy property. We pay taxes when we sell property. And we pay taxes all the years in between. I don’t care what any neighbors bought or sold their property for. None of the money went into my pocket, so why am I being penalized for their gain? This legalized robbery needs to STOP!! I don’t know the answer or the solution, but something has got to be done!! I know a huge majority of people paying more in taxes every year than they originally paid for the property!! Makes absolutely no sense!!
Interesting..I always thought property taxes couldn’t go over 10% a year, according to the Texas Tax website…
You are correct sir! People need to start going up to the appraisal office to argue this point
I own a piece of property that I don’t pay any taxes on, my burial plot.HOPE they don’t start taxing it.
My roots run deep in this county and yes with salaries so low, it makes it hard for natives of this county to keep the land in the family! Not only is Harris county residences moving this way that is causing our property taxes to increase, the crime rate is increasing as well. The cows in Washington county may still think Brenham is heaven but the lifelong residence are having second thoughts!!
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The state says a county can only raise. Taxes by 10% on a homestead
We need to replace Mr. Dillworth and everyone else in city government who goes through with this. Its becoming rediculous!
Mr. Dillworth and the WCAD board members-John Schaer, Charles Gaskamp, Johanna Fatheree, Leslie Boehnemann Jr., and Delton Koerth are all appointed by the various taxing entities. So, yes, you are correct- we voters and taxpayers need to change the makeup of the WCAD leadership by holding every elected official in the county- Washington County, city of Brenham, Brenham and Burton ISD- accountable for these political appointees who have their hands deep in our pockets.
The recurring theme that we continually hear every time there is a property tax story is Mr. Dilworth’s contention of the State is making me do it. It seems to me that the only solution to thie problem to property tax appraisals is a real estate bust like the 1980’s. Let the market crash, banks fail, and unemployment rise to double digit numbers and then you will see the overinflated appraisals come down in a couple of years.
In the interim, it’s the same old game with the elected officials “holding the line on taxes by keeping your tax rates low”, these same officials then giving tax abatement and or rebates to bring in businesses that pay $12/ hour to “bring jobs to the local economy”, while they waste vast sums on the latest and greatest buildings, parks and other grand projects.
So, the next time you hear about some developer building “affordable housing”, you better know that means your house is going to be less affordable. When you hear that the Industrial foundation has bought 100 acres and Company X is coming to Brenham with 15 jobs, your taxes are going up. And when you hear that Brenham has just added it’s 59th park, your taxes are going up.
Come on guys give us a dang pay raise then. Stop being so freaking cheap and pay us so we can afford it.
Can’t wait for this years bill last year was over 40% than the year before and I had no upgrades
Mr. Dilworth only does what our state politicians tell him to do. The more we pay in school taxes each year, the state sends that much less in school support. It is part of their plan to destroy public education. Our property values go up because people from other areas with far more money than locals, can pay a premium price for local real estate. The state is fully aware that local native seniors of average means are forced from their homes due to sky high taxes. They must sell homes, live at income based housing projects which are booming here in Brenham. These projects are built by wealthy investors who borrow using low interest government guaranteed loans. These same investors ( corporations) donate generously to politicians. Get the picture? This situation is created by poor choices at the ballot box. Betting this does not get published……
Blame it on all the people in Harris County that will pay anything to move out of Harris County. Have seen it happen for years. For those of us who will not sell our property no matter what are stuck with paying more taxes on the very same property we have had for years and no improvements being made but it still goes up anyway. Also, the school taxes are just as bad and no real improvement in that area as far as teacher’s salaries help. All the big shots gets the money that we work our butts off for.
Bout time to move….. brenham employers are low paying, yet the taxes keep going up. It’s getting to the point where a lot of people can’t afford to live here. The older I get, the more I see taxes as a form of legalized robbery.
If you don’t want to be an employee, then start your own business.
I have a condo in Travis County (Austin) that went up 15% last year and 35% this year. Goes on the market in two weeks. Cannot wait to get out from under those taxes.
This is not OK. Two years ago they raised the value of our property 100%, now another 10%? Over half of our property is in a flood plane, it is under water several times a year, how can they do this?
We are renting our property from the county!!
I agree and it is pricey rent. I guess I will have to get a full time job to pay my rent next year.
And yet my salary has stayed the same……..