HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2003-R0232 - Desire Of An Amendment Requiring State To Adopt New Local Taxation Rules - 06_12_2003Resolution No. 2003—RO232
June 12, 2003
Item No. 61
RESOLUTION
TRUTH IN TAXATION
(NO TAXATION ON RE -VALUATIONS!)
WHEREAS, the City Council deems it in the best interest of the citizens of the
City of Lubbock to inform our elected representatives in Austin that state law should be
amended so that increased property assessments by tax appraisal districts do not result in
a de facto automatic "tax increase" for local governments even though the actual "tax
rate" imposed by the local governing body has not been increased by a vote of the
governing body or by the citizens; and
WHEREAS, local governments that receive ad valorem (property) taxes should
start their budget process each year at the same dollar amount of funding as the previous
year (increased appraisals should be offset by a reduced tax rate to achieve an "effective
tax rate" that provides the same dollar amount as was received by the local government
the prior year); and
WHEREAS, such a provision will require the local governing body to actually
vote to raise or lower taxes without receiving a "hidden" tax increase as a result of
increased appraisal values, which will allow the citizens who pay property taxes to be
better informed as to whether additional funds are truly necessary for the local
government to operate; NOW THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK:
SECTION 1. THAT the elected State Representatives of the City of Lubbock and
the State Senator for the City of Lubbock be informed that the City Council of the City of
Lubbock desires an amendment to state law that will require local governments to begin
each budget year at the same dollar amount of ad valorem (property) tax proceeds as the
prior year, which can be achieved by requiring increases in the assessment of existing
properties to be offset by a comparable reduction in tax rate. Thereafter, the decision to
increase or decrease the tax rate shall be based on actual needs, such as requests for
funding, unfunded state and federal mandates, etc., and the citizens shall be better
informed as to whether additional funds are truly needed for the operation of the local
government.
SECTION 2. The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to cause a copy
of this Resolution to be provided to each of Lubbock's State Representatives and State
Senator upon fmal passage of this Resolution.
Passed by the City Council this 12th day of June
UGAL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
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Rebecca Garza, City Secretary
DDres/TaxValRes
June 3, 2003