FBISD Administration Proposes 3.5-cent Property Tax Increase
July 13th, 2009 | by Bob Dunn | Published in News | 65 Comments
Property taxes could go up for residents within Fort Bend Independent School District, as the district administration is recommending a 3.5-cent hike in its tax rate for 2009.
The FBISD administration is proposing a maintenance and operations tax rate of $1.04 per hundred dollars in property valuation - the same rate the district currently levies. However, the administration is proposing increasing the debt service tax rate to 26.5 cents per hundred - a 3.5-cent increase over the current 23-cent rate.
If the FBISD Board of Trustees approves a total administration-recommended 2009 ad valorem tax rate of $1.305 per hundred, the district tax bill for the owner of a $200,000 home would be $2,610.
The proposed tax increase comes on the heels of a county-wide property reappraisal by the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District that indicates property values will be increased an average of 10.8% higher than last year, despite a national real estate collapse that plunged property values throughout most of the rest of the country. (Property taxes are calculated based on the FBCAD’s appraisals.)
The FBISD tax-rate recommendations are on the board’s agenda for its regular meeting tonight, at the FBISD Administration Building at 16431 Lexington Blvd. in Sugar Land.
Also on the agenda is a recommendation to hold a public budget meeting at 5 p.m. on Aug. 10, to receive taxpayers’ opinions about the district’s tax rate and budget for the 2009-2010 school year.
At last year’s public budget and tax rate meeting, state Rep. Charlie Howard, R-Sugar Land, stirred up FBISD board members by criticizing them prior to their approval of a 2-cent tax rate increase while, Howard said, some other taxing entities were either lowering or maintaining existing rates.
Yet Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts. While the 2008 FBISD tax rate is $1.27 per hundred dollars of property value, Lamar Consolidated ISD’s rate is $1.29765 per hundred, and Katy ISD’s rate is considerably more - $1.5266 per hundred.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:45 am (#)
“Yet Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts.”
FBISD is the most criticized of the 3….I wonder why?
July 13th, 2009 at 10:03 am (#)
I seem to remember Mr. Howard forming a PAC in 2007 with the development community to make sure the record bond (420 million) got passed that drove up the debt service portion of the budget helping lead to consecutive property tax hikes. Now that is typical for many of our local polticians who claim to be conservative. Apparently now some of that record bond debt may be used to fund the $20-30 million dollar science center they are building on lexington. I wonder if any of the major contractors for the GSTC were members of the Howard PAC?
Google these:
“At least one of the ads consists mostly of a large color photograph of businessmen Don Russell, John Null and Bill Jameson; Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council Chief Executive Herb Appel; Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Commissioner James Patterson; and District 26 State Rep. Charlie Howard. “We will vote yes for the FBISD bonds!” says a headline at the top of the photo. “Because it protects our property values!” FBN (11/5/07)
“The tension prompted board president Sonal Bhuchar to explain that the tax rate increase was the result of a bond issue approved by voters last November.
What seems hard to be grasped is that Howard was one of the proponents of that bond issue. You may still remember that ad that supports the bond, in which he appeared with County Commissioner James Patterson and members of the Fort Bend Economic Development Council.” FB Chron 8/26
….amazing what a little search will find and how some always defend the increase while calling themselves “conservative”.
and
July 13th, 2009 at 10:41 am (#)
Well what do you really expect? We warned the voters in 2007 when they handed Jenney & Company $424 million in bond revenues. We warned them earlier this year in the Rubber Stamp election. The U.S. is in a depression. We have record unemployment across the nation. There are still hundreds of foreclosures in Fort Bend monthly. The market for new homes has tanked. Student enrollment is basically flat and not at the 2500 to 3500 annual growth as was pitched for the massive bond-doggle. On top of all this, they are hiring contract managers to oversee this MASSIVE spending program they have embarked on with ZERO experience and no college degree. I guess they decided for us since congress and DC can do it, FBISD can too. Tell me please, when does this insanity stop? I can answer that! It will not stop as long as the voters keep putting hand picked Jenneybots in office. Grow a set, will ya and vote these blooming idiots out of there.
Carlos Cain
832.859.5783
New Words invented -
Bondoggle: Massive bond RICO violation designed to suck the taxpayers out of every penny they have while allowing rampant stealing to continue throughout the district and multiple vendors to gain massive riches in the process.
Jenneybots: Sheeple place in charge of overseeing over a Billion taxpayer dollars that are not able to think or act for their constituents and blindly follow Jenney and his Ajenneyda.
Ajenneyda: Specific agenda of Jenney to build Jenney Hall and spend FBISD into Bankruptcy!
July 13th, 2009 at 10:56 am (#)
“The proposed tax increase comes on the heels of a county-wide property reappraisal by the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District that indicates property values will be increased an average of 10.8% higher than last year, despite a national real estate collapse that plunged property values throughout most of the rest of the country. (Property taxes are calculated based on the FBCAD’s appraisals.)”
With the average 10.8% ad valorem increase and this proposed 3.5 hike, we can continue to be proud recipients of the “most highly taxed” county in the state and move up into the top 5 or 6 nationally. I think you are right Mr. Cain and I love the operational definitions!
July 13th, 2009 at 11:48 am (#)
I can’t get my house in order when our local government is using my tax money for their Last Hoorah. This is horrible business practice and it must stop!
Stop the Global Science excuse for really building bloated administrative office space. Stop the tax increases! Stop the waste. Call for a no confidence vote on this Jenney a$$ kissing school board.
The house is on fire!
July 13th, 2009 at 1:16 pm (#)
I have a relative who lives in a desirable, sought after suburban school district right outside of Peachtree City, Georgia; in fact Peachtree City was voted one of the best cities to live either the year before or right after Sugar Land was voted one of the best cities to live; however, my relative’s property taxes are very reasonable. How do they do it? I mean, keep taxes low and, yet, give the citizens quality.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:26 pm (#)
FS Ga has a state Income tax.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:09 pm (#)
Local governments should not raise taxes and spend recklessly anytime, but especially in a bad economic climate. It is a recipe for disaster under any condition, but especially NOW. Ga. has it’s own problems, but the insanity of FBISD spending is way, way, out of control. This lack of control means that the board is not “thinking” about what they are doing. Perhaps they are praying that Jenney knows what he is doing. Wake up! Jenney is working for the vendors and the developers!
July 13th, 2009 at 3:22 pm (#)
Looks like Ga has a state income tax of 6% + a sales tax of 4% and a property tax.
Texas has a 6.25 state sales tax and a property tax.
according to http://www.retirementliving.com/tax_burden_2008.pdf
Ga has a 9.9% tax burden ranking them at #16
and Tx has an 8.4% tax burden ranking us at #43.
sounds like Texas total taxes are much lower than Ga’s.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:25 pm (#)
On a recent plane flight my husband and I sat next to a well traveled military “hot shot,” and he was very informative about property taxes in general because he has owned several homes at one time or another throughout the USA and he stated that the Carolinas and Georgia have lower property taxes on homes/real estate than most states. He has already purchased his final home (over 3,800 square feet home) in a golfing community in Columbia, South Carolina to return to upon retirement in two years.
My offered commentary is only food for thought and since I had this recent conversation with someone who was well traveled and informed regarding a lot of topics, but in particular informed about real estate property taxes, I, simply, offered my new learning’s. I’m not advocating that Texas secede from the union, but it does give fresh perspective when we analyze how other states may deal with various issues that plague us.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:53 pm (#)
FB Co. Judge Hebert is right that we are being double taxed! By tax rate or FBCAD appraisal valuation increases, one or the other or both!
July 13th, 2009 at 7:48 pm (#)
Ga has a 9.9% state/local tax burden ranking them at #16
Tx has an 8.4% state/local tax burden ranking it at #43.
July 13th, 2009 at 10:53 pm (#)
OK, let me get this right, a man or woman calls him or herself a Fort Bend “conservative” and is justifying high taxes and supporting corporate welfare queens! Little Darlin, this ain’t conservative thinkin!!
July 14th, 2009 at 5:28 am (#)
Mr Murphy in #6 FS asked “How do they do it? I mean, keep taxes low and, yet, give the citizens quality.” She was under the impression Ga’s taxes were lower and they weren’t.
Goes back to my original question.
“Yet Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts.”
FBISD is the most criticized of the 3….I wonder why?
July 14th, 2009 at 7:46 am (#)
Between our manipulated tax base and appraisal changes, as well as our sales taxes, we have some of the highest taxes in the country. Don’t let the manipulations of two of these three fool you. And lets not forget our HOA dues and how they, replace some tax service responsibility too. Developers are also in this scam. Just following the money folks.
Look, it’s not just an issue of high taxes, and they are very high, it is an issue of fooling the people while the taxes are wasted on building projects and vendors who are manipulating school projects and preying on the community.
For example, The Global Science Center was never about science, and the fact that it will end up being an addition to the administration office for office space and meeting rooms should not surprise anyone. The scam is called “bait and switch.” Anyone could see this when the board refused to include the ridiculous transportation time and costs for shipping 800 kids a day to and from the redundant museum.
July 14th, 2009 at 8:18 am (#)
2006-2007: $1.54 per $100 valuation
2007-2008: $1.25 per $100 valuation
2008-2009: $1.27 per $100 valuation
2009-2010 (proposed): $1.305 per $100 valuation
Property taxes were reduced from !.54 to a current rate of 1.27
Sorry, I thought the article was about a proposed hike in taxes. You contend its not “Look, it’s not just an issue of high taxes, and they are very high, it is an issue of fooling the people while the taxes are wasted on building projects and vendors who are manipulating school projects and preying on the community.”
sounds like you’re unhappy about the choices the voters made. I’m not sure how to correct that, without going to a system like Iran has. I prefer ours.
July 14th, 2009 at 9:58 am (#)
Actually, FB Conservative,
My question/comment: How do they do it? I mean, keep taxes low and, yet, give the citizens quality. I was referring to property taxes “only” and its impact on the quality of education in the subdivision area of homes referenced; and the facts of GA’s lower property taxes in this area, yet maintaining a sought after quality education school district, specific to the Peachtree City area which is a suburban city on par with Sugar Land.
Your information offered was generalized and beyond the scope and not specific to my commentary, and thus did not adequately address my stated commentary and actually was out of synch with the sentiments expressed. You gave lumped in information regarding state income taxes, but even so, in response to your offering;
Ga has a 9.9% state/local tax burden ranking them at #16
Tx has an 8.4% state/local tax burden ranking it at #43
My comments to your statistical offerings are if GA has additional state taxes in addition to its property taxes, then something is still incongruent with TX because since TX does not have state taxes and “only” has the property taxes, then I say there is not that much difference between a 9.9% for GA who has “both” a state and a property tax and TX with a 8.4% with only a property tax.
July 14th, 2009 at 10:34 am (#)
“Your information offered was generalized and beyond the scope and not specific to my commentary, and thus did not adequately address my stated commentary and actually was out of synch with the sentiments expressed”
FS Ga. have a State Income tax used to supplement edu. and Tx does not, therefore Tx has a higher property tax but lower overall taxes.
“then I say there is not that much difference between a 9.9% for GA who has “both” a state and a property tax and TX with a 8.4% with only a property tax” I’d much rather pay the lower tax burden of 8.4%.
I know that hard to understand, but most taxing systems are.
July 14th, 2009 at 10:46 am (#)
It seems that voters in Sugar Land do not vote for a number of reasons. Perhaps one reason is that those in power (developers and those who serve them) are careful to manipulate statistics to confuse the voters.
Our grossly high and growing taxes (despite an economy in trouble) are being used and manipulated like feudal lords extracting money from their peasants for the health and welfare of the developers and those who serve them.
Information or manipulation is the difference between a free man and a serf. Our taxes are not that complicated, but they are “growing and going” to the wrong people!
http://www.fortbendnow.com/2009/01/29/35271
July 14th, 2009 at 10:49 am (#)
A differnce of about $155 annually compared to 9 million in GA and 24 million in TX?
FBC take a should look at Florida which pays 139 less than Texans and also has a property and income tax. What’s your take on that?
Also see: http://www.fortbendnow.com/2009/01/29/35271
July 14th, 2009 at 11:26 am (#)
Who cares what Georgia has, we live here. And it is obvious that we are paying too much in taxes. We have unchecked spending in all levels of local government. We have Senators and Congressional reps that are selling us out to the highest bidder. We have a State AG and local DA’s that will not even investigate their corrupt buddies. Remember “Trickle down Economics”? Well we have “Trickle up Corruption” and until we bring local politics under scrutiny and prosecute corrupt elected officials we will NEVER get our Congress or Senate under control. Trickle up corruption guarantees that anytime a corrupt State or Federal representative is booted out, there are a dozen waiting in line to fill his position. Each of them having their own political agenda and crony pals anxious to get him or her in that position so they can get their peice of the action. I also contend that the local and national talk show host in radio, T.V. and the internet facilitate this by keeping the right and the left so stirred up fighting with each other, they fail to see the real thievery taking place right under our noses.
“Investigating seditious acts of government officials can be deemed inappropriate or unavailing by the prosecutor, or the judge can dismiss the grand jurors pursuing such investigations. Consequently, corrupt government officials have few natural enemies and go about their seditious business unimpeded.”
If there is any group of individuals left, right or middle that are fed up with being used for purposes of fraud and extortion by our corrupt local officials including but not limited to School Board, County Government, Taxing Authorities etc. please contact me for more information on how and what we TOGETHER can do to take our government back.
Carlos Cain
832.859.5783
carlos.cain@hotmail.com
July 14th, 2009 at 11:39 am (#)
“what’s your take on that?”
Ga has a per capital income of 37,850, while Texas’ is $42,796. Ga is averaging 5k/yr less income and paying $155/yr more in taxes.
FS Florida doesn’t have a state income tax.
The FtBend Now article you referenced only compared property tax to proprty tax. If you look at this report from the Tax foundation it inclueds all taxes. http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/sr163.pdf
I hope that helps.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:04 pm (#)
FtBendConservative, When did the voters approve the GSTC. It was never placed on the ballot nor was it included in the 2007 bond package. It has clearly led to consecutive tax increases to address the debt service portion of the budget. When also did voters have an opportunity to vote on any of the local FBISD tax increases (they were cleverly never placed on the ballot).
Once again, “Little Ms. Conservative” you are providing false information for public consumption and continuing to mislead our community for tax and spend corporate welfare.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:15 pm (#)
Mr Murphy when did I say “the voters approve the GSTC”?
Once again the article is about taxes. here’s my comment to refresh your memory ““Yet Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts.”
FBISD is the most criticized of the 3….I wonder why?”
I hope that helps you.
July 14th, 2009 at 2:00 pm (#)
I’m sorry I had to ask this, but why, if our county has the highest property taxes per median home value in the state why would anyone defend raising them again? Apparently 10.8% ad valorem and the 3.5 cent increase isn’t enough for you?
July 14th, 2009 at 2:49 pm (#)
Ms. Conservative, your words read:
#16 sounds like you’re unhappy about the choices the voters made. I’m not sure how to correct that, without going to a system like Iran has. I prefer ours.
Iran and Sugar Land may have more in common than we are willing to admit. I think the “conservatives” won out over there. Hmmm… lets do talk about giving people the right to vote on issues of importance, like raising taxes and wasteful corporate welfare spending.
July 14th, 2009 at 2:56 pm (#)
Do you actually think anybody would ever vote to raise their own taxes??
July 14th, 2009 at 3:18 pm (#)
I would, and I have, but never for grossly wasteful and destructive spending that would destroy a community, like say, a multimillion dollar “Global Science Center” that will ultimately become an addition to the administration building for more office and meeting rooms.
Meanwhile this project has caused taxes to be raised in a sliding economy, the Houston Museum of Natural Science feels blindsided that the district would compete with their new satellite museum that is to open less than 2 miles from the Global Disaster, and taxpayers are left holding the bag!
I don’t mind paying for value. I am angered to be forced to pay for fraud.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:52 pm (#)
FtBendConservative say Yet Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts.
Read this TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS
With Highest Total Debt Service (Voter Approved)
As of August 31, 2008 ISD Name County Total Debt Service Full-Year ADA 2008
03-08 ADA Growth 03-08 ADA Percent Growth
Houston ISD Harris $3,418,766,779 179,329 -13,161.4 -6.84%
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Harris $2,823,682,531 90,964 23,776.4 35.39%
Leander ISD Williamson $2,800,935,716 25,132 9,176.4 57.51%
Dallas ISD Dallas $2,335,668,576 144,833 -7,400.9 -4.86%
North East ISD Bexar $2,296,060,566 58,290 7,027.9 13.71%
Northside ISD Bexar $2,211,944,760 79,721 15,362.2 23.87%
Frisco ISD Collin $1,923,845,824 26,194 15,531.1 145.65%
Katy ISD Harris $1,646,998,892 51,179 13,431.9 35.58%
Lewisville ISD Denton $1,375,862,950 46,924 7,160.9 18.01%
Fort Bend ISD Fort Bend $1,370,515,035 64,519 7,893.2 13.94%
Source: Texas Bond Review Board - Bond Finance Office (local government debt databases);Texas Education Agency for average daily attendance
And I woulder WHY!!!!!!!!
July 14th, 2009 at 3:54 pm (#)
As usual, FBC, you are hell bound to defend bad policy and bad laws. Why is that? It is so ridiculous how you stretch to make something what it is not; bad policy and/or bad laws are what they are. You never give up trying to make the illogical, logical and trying to ram it down everyone else’s throats. Stop kidding yourself as if you are making headway with your commentary. No one is buying whatever you are peddling.
Previously, for the record, I failed to mention that Floridians make more and pay less in taxes than we do, but why are you defending more spending and borrowing along with higher taxes? Additionally, on good authority, I was told that Florida has both a property and a state income tax and if I erred by stating so, then I want someone other than you to correct me.
Furthermore, in response your offering: “The FtBend Now article you referenced only compared property tax to property tax.” FBC
Duh? My original point exactly. Thanks FBC for bringing it back home and on point to my original comparatives in my commentary—property taxes versus property taxes.
Your above quote, my dear, deepen your contradictive assertions, but I am not complaining because you have come full circle to make my point exactly in post # 17 when I stated the following:
“Your information offered was generalized and beyond the scope and not specific to my commentary, and thus did not adequately address my stated commentary and actually was out of synch with the sentiments expressed. You gave lumped in information regarding state income taxes . . .” FS
In other words, it was you, FBC who lumped in information and statistics regarding state income taxes when I was referencing only property taxes, and now, you are making the argument that the previous FBN article that I referenced is not relevant to my commentary because it only compares property taxes to property taxes— exactly, that is what this is about; it does not include state income; the rest of us, knew all along that the issue is about property taxes compared to property taxes, good, bad, or otherwise—it is you who took the ball out of bounds to lump in state income taxes, not I or anyone else. Therefore to that end, I appreciate your returning the subject at hand to what is actually being compared, property taxes versus property.
July 14th, 2009 at 4:01 pm (#)
Mr Murphy I agree you sound angry and I suppose name calling is your juvenile way of expressing yourself.
Sugar Land watch the quote “Yet Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts.” is from the article.
July 14th, 2009 at 4:18 pm (#)
FtBendConservative says:
July 13th, 2009 at 8:45 am (#)
“Yet Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts.”
FBISD is the most criticized of the 3….I wonder why?
Then tell us why BOT need more money.In fact they already have 1,370,515,035,and that is with a B for Billion.And we have lowest tax rate,but we have a Debt!!!!
WHAT ARE THEY DOING WITH MONEY.
July 14th, 2009 at 4:23 pm (#)
I just wonder why the poster above keeps defending the tax increase and massive bond debt of the district?
July 14th, 2009 at 4:49 pm (#)
It sounds like double talk to me and the message that is coming through loud and clear to me is that the Engineering Program’s stay at Marshall is only temporary; it does not sound permanent to me.
Mark, my words, the Marshall community will be betrayed, eventually—my advice to the FB Pastors Association is do not be fooled; the betrayal has only been delayed to later rather than now. They have in essence accepted crumbs, but perhaps, if my call is incorrect, then the ministers’ humbleness is a strategic move to, wear the mask for now. In other words, it could be that the ministers’ intent is to let the Superintendent think that they are placated for now; however, in the meantime, this gives time to mound a mighty challenge.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:06 pm (#)
I am sorry, Ms. Conservative, if I have presented myself as a “name caller without a cause.” Least that be assumed, let me clarify myself. Why are you supporting the massive spending and tax increase for the coming year that would push us past LCISD (which isn’t listed on the bond debt rankings) and behind a district that ranks 8th in the state for cumulative bond debt?
Why would anyone support such irresponsible financial behavior and then continue to portray herself as a “conservative” anything. Did you forget we are ranked 1st in the state for property taxes. Do you own property in this state? Why doesn’t this concern you? Why doesn’t being ranked in the top ten in the state for bond debt concern you?
Honey, if this is too much for you, just go buy something pretty and help us out with your sales tax.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:12 pm (#)
lots of anger here today.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:32 pm (#)
We’re being robbed, we should be happy?
July 14th, 2009 at 5:50 pm (#)
Mr Murphy is it too much to ask a grown up to express themselves in a cognitive thought process without, name calling, race baiting, unfounded allegations, or not even being able to understand a simple explanation of how taxes work?
Once again from the article “Yet Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts.”
Can anyone understand that? If FBISD taxes are lower why is the district always criticized so severely? Are voters that out of touched?
July 14th, 2009 at 6:20 pm (#)
“With the average 10.8% ad valorem increase and this proposed 3.5 hike, we can continue to be proud recipients of the “most highly taxed” county in the state and move up into the top 5 or 6 nationally.”
There is nothing racial about that. How these taxes are spent represents a real manipulation of FBISD support for “planned obsolesence” and “new and improved” developments. An Engineering Science Program is not a small real estate selling tool, especially in the economic climate that we now face.
This can have racial immplications, but everyone is hurt by having school resources rotated to the newest development.
This game keeps people transient and dependent on developers to deliver the perfect life, ready made, in their newest development. Stepford-wife like. Who benefits from this chase but the developer?
Just say “no!” to the FBISD Board and Jenney. They do not work for the people.
July 14th, 2009 at 8:52 pm (#)
Ft Bend Cty is ranked 38 nationally in property taxes, with several other Texas counties ranked higher than them, according to the tax foundation.
as the article says “Yet Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts.”
I suppose one can choose to be angry no matter what the facts are.
Have a blessed day, good night.
July 14th, 2009 at 9:05 pm (#)
Florida has no personal income tax, only a corporate tax. FBISD has the lowest tax rate in Fort Bend County. Those are facts.
July 14th, 2009 at 10:14 pm (#)
Iknow,
Not really.
School districts with the lowest tax rates in Fort Bend County:
1. Kendleton ISD
2. Brazos ISD (yes, a portion is within FB)
3. Stafford MSD
FBISD’s tax rate is higher than the above three districts.
And *that’s* a fact.
July 15th, 2009 at 7:30 am (#)
The poster above is citing aggregate data and not taxes calculated per median home value which, according to the tax foundation, ranks Fort Bend County 8th in the US and still ranks FBC 1st in Texas when you factor out median home value. Any way you slice it we have the highest property taxes in TX according to the tax foundation and our school district is about 2/3rds of that bill and he is still ignoring that on average property tax appraisals went up this year by almost 11% in an economic downturn. Saying FBISD is 3rd out of 6 fort bend county districts is very misleading given the actual taxes we are paying…..not a good deal. If the increase goes through and it probably will we will move into 2nd out of 6.
http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/1888.html
vs.
http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/24052.html
–So according to the 6 districts in FBC, if the BOT moves forward with the tax increase we will rank second of the six in tax rates only eclipsed by KISD, which is ranked in the top 7 in the state for excessive bond/tax debt. Hum, is this fiscally responsible behavior and a ranking we want????
July 15th, 2009 at 1:11 pm (#)
moretransparency says: If Calif or NY has highly inflated property values wouldn’t their percentage of taxes to home value be lower?…of course. Second why not use the states that have a state income tax that supplements edu?
One thing the people here trying to manipulate the data to make it look like Ft Bend pays higher taxes than it does cannot dispute is Texas ranks 43 of 50 in taxes. Texas has no state income tax meaning its property tax will be higher but not necessarily higher than their aggregate State income tax and property tax.
Ft Bend cty is not in the top 10 in school board taxes when you compare apples to apples no matter what anyone here says.
Your transparency reminds of Obama’s transparency…..all smoke and mirrors.
July 15th, 2009 at 1:42 pm (#)
Usually when someone resorts to ad hom, they have run out of data to manipulate or argue. Most of the facts refuted were initiated by you, not any of the other posters in here. You can’t claim your comparing apples to apples when you are comparing property tax to all other forms of taxation.
“moretransparency says: If Calif or NY has highly inflated property values wouldn’t their percentage of taxes to home value be lower?…of course.” FtBendConservative says:
The above quote is yours, not mine and what seems typical of your style in this thread. I do have one question for you. Which taxing entity are you posting for and why would you even pretend to hide behind such a label as “FtBendConservative”? Unless the GOP is now pushing for massive debt, more borrowing for spending and big tax increases, which I doubt. However, maybe Murphy is right and it is the special interest that need such a voice and to keep pumping our tax dollars into their coffers?
Perhaps it’s time for the only person in this thread defending the spending, borrowing (debt) and tax increase to look at the data and links that have been posted since your empirical support is somewhat lite to non-existent, might we say. Next you will claim they are actually lowering our ad valorem taxes nearly 11% and our tax rate is dropping 3.5 or are all these news reports pure fabrication as well as the data, links and other supporting pieces.
I for one found the Bond Review Board data posted by sugarlandwatch more than enough to support opposition to more of the same unless you approve of FBISD being in the top ten districts for bond debt with much of the tax increase going to that debt? Better luck next time and I’m sure there will be many more “next times” with that 1.3 to 1.4 BILLION dollar debt. Too bad one poster chooses to ignore the facts, but hey nothing wrong with the exercise of free speech.
I’m glad you don’t mind moving from 3rd of 6 districts to 2nd behind KISD for the highest tax rate or paying the highest property taxes per median home value in TX and 8th in the country. I wonder why in that linked article regarding Charlie Howard’s opposition to the last district tax increase it wasn’t mentioned that he formed a PAC, as stated above, to push for the massive debt increase which has resulted in these 2 recent increases? Oh well….facts, facts and distortions….maybe someone should write a book.
July 15th, 2009 at 1:48 pm (#)
“Just say “no!” to the FBISD Board and Jenney. They do not work for the people.”
I agree Joe! Thanks Sugarlandwatch for sharing that Bond Review Board data. It tells quite a tale.
July 15th, 2009 at 2:41 pm (#)
Spin it any way you choose, but heres the facts.
Texas is ranked #43 in taxes in the US. Ft Bend is not ranked in the top 10 counties in the US. AND:
“Yet Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts.”
July 15th, 2009 at 3:49 pm (#)
I’m sorry, I don’t make up sources. Here they are again, but first stop trying to confuse the public. They can look and read for themselves. Even the source you provided has our property taxes in the top 2-3% of the more than 3000 counties in the U.S.
Thank you for the sources:
http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/1888.html
Taxes on Owner-Occupied Housing, by County Ranked by Property Taxes as Percentage of Home Value*
Rank
1.Niagra County, New York
2.Monroe County, NY
3.Chautauga Cty, NY
4.Wayne Cty, NY
5.Oswego Cty, NY
6.Onondaga Cty, NY
7.Erie Cty, NY
8.Fort Bend Cty, TX ($4229)
What is even more telling is that it lists the “Median Prop. Taxes Paid on Homes in the U.S. as $1838, which means we pay more than twice as much as those falling within 2 stdev of the median property taxes paid by US taxpayers.
Apples to apples….and nothing beats that near 1.4 BILLION dollar bond debt ranking us in the top 10 in the state for district debt. Is this what you are defending? Or are you defending them raising it even higher?
July 15th, 2009 at 5:15 pm (#)
moretransparency I agreed you ALLWAY
July 15th, 2009 at 5:19 pm (#)
To FtBendConservative
Why are you supporting the massive and tax increase for the coming year that would push us LCISD and behind a district that ranks 8th in the state for cumulative Debt?
July 15th, 2009 at 5:31 pm (#)
moretransparency as you gotten here late and seem to not understand the discussion, it might help if you went back and read the posts.
the article quoted ““Yet Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts.”
I then added “FBISD is the most criticized of the 3….I wonder why?”
Some tried to take the question off topic to alluding to others (not FT Bend Cty school disctricts)having better schools and lower taxes.
Then posters(including you) alluded to the FtBendNow post on FtBend propert taxes are higher “as a percentage of value”. This study also leaves out state income taxes and inflated property values.
What does that have to do with ““Yet Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts.”?
What I’ve learned is it doesn’t matter if FBISD’s tax rate is lower, FBISD will be critized no matter what by some.
July 15th, 2009 at 6:06 pm (#)
Thank you SLwatch for posting that very telling link to the State Bond Review Board. It was hard to believe that the current FBISD board and superintendent would seek to add another near 420 million to that debt load, but the figures confirm it as do the interviews that much of the last two tax increases have gone to service that debt. Did the district really project a $10 million dollar budget deficit for fiscal 2008-2009? The news doesn’t sound good for taxpayers in FBISD. Good luck! That other poster keeps beating a dead horse with. Does he really think people don’t complain about the debt and tax increases in KISD? Maybe he should go read the instantnewskaty site. Looks like quite a few complain in that district as they should. I just googled taxes and KISD and found numerous sites that seem to be involved with keeping an eye on their board too. I say good for them.
Keep the information coming, I’m sure the public appreciates it. I know I do and just ignore the other chaff. You see I’ve lived in other states and have family that don’t pay the property taxes we do here and to hear and see that this county ranks the highest in Texas is very disconcerting.
Keep up the great work all and ignore the chaff!
July 15th, 2009 at 8:09 pm (#)
The information in post #48 says it all!
A good game “stumper” question would be: What does a county in Texas by the name of Fort Bend County have in common with 7 other cities in New York State? My guess is that no one would know the correct answer without having the prior knowledge of actually knowing the property tax rankings as exhibited in post #48.
July 16th, 2009 at 6:43 am (#)
A real game stumper would be:
If “Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts.” why would some some still criticize it?
We just played it..
July 16th, 2009 at 7:50 am (#)
Wrong answer, FBC
My example of a game stumper question was not an opened ended question. You see opened ended questions can have opened ended answers based upon varying opinions as interpreted by the individual or individuals responding. However a factual answer is needed in response to a legitimate question of fact in general everyday life, or as in the play/social entertainment example that I offered as a good game “stumper” question specifically; and/or specific to any legitimate game requiring factual answers in response to factual questions must be based upon facts which can be proven by a factual source, and are thus fact based and cannot be opened ended opinionate ones. And certainly, “not”, opened ended opinionate ones skewed illogically as in the example that you are offering.
No, we did not just play it because your answer is incorrect and so you lost your turn. Plus, game players who purposely give wrong answers and defy game rules are barred from playing the game.
July 16th, 2009 at 8:16 am (#)
FS thanks for playing, you got an ‘F’.
July 16th, 2009 at 8:28 am (#)
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.”
July 16th, 2009 at 9:11 am (#)
FtBendConservative, anwers my question #50
Are you running from TRUTH!!!!
July 16th, 2009 at 10:17 am (#)
Sugarlandwatch where does it say I support FBISD’s massive debt? How do you jump to that conclusion for this? If “Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts.” why would some some still criticize it?
You get a ‘F’ also.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:37 am (#)
If the FBISD school board members approve this tax increase, then it is your fault taxpayers. Call your board member and make it clear you will not permit this. It is easy to vote out politicians that raise taxes.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:44 am (#)
Even though the FBISD tax rate is lower than LCISD and KISD, you must consider that property values are much higher in the district. Never raise taxes, ever!
July 16th, 2009 at 3:40 pm (#)
FtBendConservative:
So why are you supporting moving FBISD into 2nd out of 6 districts in our county for tax rate with this vote when our county ranks as the highest in the state for property taxes?
July 16th, 2009 at 3:45 pm (#)
By the way FtBendConservative are you going to
The board voted to hold that meeting at 5 p.m. Aug. 10, in the FBISD Board Room at the district’s administration offices on Lexington Boulevard in Sugar Land.
July 17th, 2009 at 7:53 am (#)
I’d rather not change the subject or go off topic.
I just had a point to make, there was no agenda. I’m neither defending or attacking FBISD.
The point? If “Fort Bend ISD maintained the lowest property tax rate of Fort Bend County’s three biggest school districts.” why would some some still criticize it?”
Thanks to all for participating, it was interesting to watch how some reacted to a positive statement about FBISD.
July 19th, 2009 at 12:19 pm (#)
This is the high price TAX we face an pay, when we have a very low voters turnout during May elections, under seven percent. Under one hundred voters turnout an voted on Election day May 09,2009. It looks like the public doesn’t care the price we pay.