|
Big Government/Big Taxes
The Daily News takes a look at the rapidly escalating tax rates and property tax appraisals in Galveston County.
Tax cap passed because it was fought for
Galveston County commissioners recently approved a property tax cap for senior citizens with one lone dissenting voice.
July 03, 2005 - Columnists - By Dolph Tillotson
County backs appraisal caps
GALVESTON — County leaders on Monday backed legislative proposals to curb property appraisal increases, but added a condition of their own.
March 15, 2005 - News - By Carter Thompson
Group rallies in support of appraisal cap
FRIENDSWOOD — A group had a pep-rally of sorts to encourage support for Gov. Rick Perry’s proposal to limit increases in taxable property values.
February 23, 2005 - News - By TJ Aulds
Budgets balloon, but not all raise taxes
Budgets got bigger this fiscal year — both for school districts and cities. But only about half of these government bodies raised tax rates.
October 24, 2004 - News - From staff reports
Recent debt adds heft to tax rate
In 2000, voters passed three county bond issues to fund facility, road and transportation planning work.
October 10, 2004 - News - By Carter Thompson
Meet the elephant who came to dinner
Galveston has a financial problem. To solve it, the city council will have to cut the size of the police and fire departments.
October 03, 2004 - Editorials - By Heber Taylor
City starts looking for budget cuts
GALVESTON — City Manager Steve LeBlanc said Friday he had begun looking for ways to cut both the budget and workforce.
October 03, 2004 - News - By Marty Schladen
It’s the payroll cost that’s out of control
If the Galveston City Council was being sympathetic to taxpayers, we’d hate to see real animosity.
September 26, 2004 - Editorials - By Heber Taylor
City holds line on tax rate
GALVESTON — After hours and hours of sometimes tense negotiations, the city council on Thursday passed a $66 million budget for the fiscal year.
September 24, 2004 - News - By Marty Schladen
Committee's advice just common sense
If you think that the finance committee’s suggestions to the Galveston City Council are dull and technical, get that idea out of your head.
September 23, 2004 - Editorials - By Heber Taylor
Jamaica Beach shows how to cut taxes
Lowering taxes isn’t rocket science. Maybe the commissioners court and Galveston City Council should talk with Vic Pierson, mayor of Jamaica Beach.
September 12, 2004 - Columnists - By Dolph Tillotson
Taxpayers, we told you so
To property tax payers in the city of Galveston: We told you so.
September 10, 2004 - Editorials - By Dolph Tillotson
Residents not happy with new tax rate
County leaders were taken to task Thursday during hearings on the proposed tax rate.
September 10, 2004 - News - By Carter Thompson
Taxpayers quiet on proposed increase
GALVESTON — Residents are facing higher taxes and utility fees, but nary a voice was raised Thursday against a proposal to hike the city tax rate.
September 10, 2004 - News - By Marty Schladen
Abatement considered for Union Carbide
TEXAS CITY — Union Carbide officials hope to come out of a meeting with a tax abatement for work they say is needed.
September 09, 2004 - News - By Carter Thompson
Council to hear public on proposed tax hike
GALVESTON — A proposed increase in city taxes is among several contentious items the Galveston City Council is expected to consider today.
September 09, 2004 - News - By Marty Schladen
Council begins budget talks
GALVESTON — As it began budget workshops, the city council tried to strike a balance between funding projects constituents wanted and what residents can afford.
September 08, 2004 - News - By Marty Schladen
City looks to raise property taxes
GALVESTON — The city council wants to raise property taxes next year — in part to help raise city employees’ wages.
September 06, 2004 - News - By Sarah Viren
It’s a bit more than politics
The Galveston County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office made a mistake last week.
September 01, 2004 - Editorials - By Wes Swift
Their job is to control spending
Friday’s paper reported that Galveston County lowered its tax rate from 64 cents per $100 of assessed value to 63.875 cents.
August 29, 2004 - Editorials - By Dolph Tillotson
Budget reflects sound planning
On Aug. 24, the board approved a budget that can best be described as a “planning guide” for future growth and educational needs.
August 29, 2004 - Guest Column - By Paul McLarty
Officials: Demand there for third terminal
GALVESTON — If the island built a third cruise terminal, they would come, say port officials.
August 28, 2004 - News - By Laura Elder
Officials approve county budget for 2005
County leaders adopted the budget for fiscal year 2005 in a 4-1 vote. A vote on the tax rate was postponed because of incorrect calculations.
August 27, 2004 - News - By Carter Thompson
Tax rate up in CCISD
LEAGUE CITY — Property owners in the Clear Creek Independent School District will see their tax bills go up.
August 26, 2004 - News - By Carolina Amengual
County delays vote on tax rate
County leaders will deliver their new budget today, but the tax rate to nurse it will have to wait.
August 26, 2004 - News - By Carter Thompson
City commission approves water rate hike
HITCHCOCK — The city commission voted to approve an ordinance upping the charge for the first 3,000 gallons of water.
August 25, 2004 - News - By Nathan Smith
City proving financial responsibility
Some homestead property owners in Jamaica Beach will have a lower tax rate.
August 24, 2004 - Editorials - By Robert Hackett
Council limits police hires to three
LA MARQUE — The proposed city budget for 2004-2005 will only allow for hiring three new police officers.
August 24, 2004 - News - By Nathan Smith
A district that’s growing faster than ever
The demographic study commissioned by the Clear Creek Independent School District shows the need to plan for new schools.
August 22, 2004 - Editorials - By Heber Taylor
Elected officials slated for raises
Most of the county’s elected officials are slated to get raises in the proposed budget.
August 22, 2004 - News - By Carter Thompson
Vacation house rentals under the gun
Last month, the Bayou Vista City Council blocked James Williford from renting his two-story bay house for less than 30 days at a time.
August 22, 2004 - News - By Laura Elder
Island school board approves tax increase
The Galveston school board has approved a 15-cent increase in the tax rate to support at $54.66 million budget.
August 21, 2004 - News - From staff reports
City ready to increase budget, lower taxes
HITCHCOCK — The city commission this week tempered news of a proposed budget increase for 2004-2005 with a proposed decrease in the property tax rate.
August 18, 2004 - News - By Nathan Smith
City plans budget with new services
LA MARQUE — As the city prepares for a new budget year without a property tax increase, it faces challenges in how to provide services.
August 16, 2004 - News - By Scott E. Williams
Deputies seek referendum on pay
County sheriff’s deputies are gathering signatures to force an election on pay increases they have proposed.
August 13, 2004 - News - By Carter Thompson
FISD dips into reserves to balance budget
FRIENDSWOOD — Trustees of FISD approved a $36.4 million budget this week, making up a deficit of about $400,000 with reserve funds.
August 13, 2004 - News - By Carolina Amengual
City officials look to development boom
LA MARQUE — Officials are hoping the traffic they see on I-45 is a sign that the city is ready to undergo a development boom.
August 10, 2004 - News - By Nathan Smith
Council, park board to discuss events
GALVESTON — Council members will meet with the park board Thursday to discuss special events.
August 10, 2004 - News - By Sarah Viren
CCISD has good news on taxes
LEAGUE CITY — School district administrators delivered the kind of news taxpayers wish they’d get more often.
August 02, 2004 - News - By Carolina Amengual
Is there room for pool at Big League Dreams?
LEAGUE CITY — City officials say they believe there’s room to build a swimming pool at the Big League Dreams complex.
July 27, 2004 - News - By Carolina Amengual
|
