BLINN COLLEGE BOARD HEARS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON PROPOSED TAX RATE
Three members of the public attended the Blinn College Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday evening to let the Board know their feelings on the proposed tax rate.
First to speak was Pat Elliot Sr, who questioned why property owners are “the brunt of financial needs for Blinn?”
Elliot when on to state that he believed that a sales tax should be implement to pay for government and education, and would stop the threat of property confiscation to property owners. He cited that the fact that if a property owner does not pay their taxes, a government agency would confiscate the property and sell the property for taxes owned, and says that “this is a criminal act of government of property owners and usurpation of our personal freedoms.” Elliot says that in his opinion, "the Board of Trustees are "playing with fire" in violating Texas Truth-in-Taxation Guide's Tax Rate Limitation for junior College District as per the Texas Education Code."
The second to speak, Billie Ogg, echoed Elliot’s statements, noting that when she moved to Brenham, she noted how expensive property was in Brenham, and believes that student tuition should pay in their tuition, not the taxpayers.
The third to speak was Lynn Harris, who question why the Bryan campus benefits from Washington County taxes, and why other counties do not contribute to the Blinn College system.
The College District proposes to increase total tax revenues from properties on the tax roll in the preceding year by 7.9%.
The proposed tax rate of $0.0601 per $100 valuation. The proposed tax rate is almost identical to the $0.06 per $100 valuation Washington County residents paid in 2013. It would equate to approximately $60.10 in annual taxes on a $100,000 home and would yield just under $1.8 million in revenue. Property tax revenue pays for a portion of the Brenham campus maintenance and utility costs.
According to Blinn College, should the proposed rate be adopted, Blinn is expected to maintain the lowest tax rate in the state.
Individual taxes my increase at a greater or lesser rate or even decrease depending on the value of the property.
The Board of Trustees also saw a presentation on a Preliminary Master Plan for the Bryan West Campus at F.M 2818 and Leonard Road.