May 11: Appraisal Increasing
RANT: I just received the 2008 appraisal of my house and land, and it looks like Smith County is still growing and expanding despite economic disaster elsewhere in the world.
Not surprisingly, the market value increased 11.3 percent over last year. It's a shame we have a 10 percent cap on annual appraisal increases. I don't know what the taxing districts (all four of them) will do without the extra money the cap law has taken from them?
The appraisal form indicates my property has increased 38 percent since 2003, which is an average of 6.3 percent over the last six years. And these were during good economic years. How can anyone justify a 11.3 percent increase in one year in view of the current economic conditions, forecasts for further decline, and a real estate disaster still in progress.
I know the local politicians and real estate businesses claim Smith County has not been affected by the declining real estate values nationwide or the declining economy. But, if the city of Tyler, for one, is really managing expenses as they claim when reducing the tax rate, let them reduce the rate so they do not get any additional tax income from the obscene property appraisal increases for next year. Of course, it wouldn't do me any good; my tax amount is frozen. Only the TISD rate reduction benefited me by a special law.
If the citizens of this county do not respond immediately and firmly against this obscene appraisal increase, I guess we deserve what we get - expanding government and minimum services.
Norm Beavers
Tyler
Tyler
FAQ
Search Forums
Log in
Register
