Article by Dominic Chavez

Like many of you, my family has felt a financial pinch over the last year. We watched helplessly as our retirement and college savings for our children lost 30-40% of their overall value. We saw friends and families deal with job losses, cutbacks, and financial despair. We watched home sales plummet around us, suggesting that the one last real investment we have (our home) would follow the way of our stocks. Then, to add insult to injury, we received most unwelcome news from the Travis County Appraisal District—our home value was assessed $30,000 higher this year over last, meaning our taxes would follow suit.

Across the county, appraisals have increased 3.8 percent. In the city of Austin, they increased 4.5%, following a 12.8% increase last year, with similar increases for the 4-5 years prior. We have heard anecdotal evidence from neighbors that most have seen $30,000 increases with some as high as $50,000. The question you must ask is, do you think you could sell your house for $30,000 to $50,000 more today that last year in this market? The answer should be obvious.

For too long, our county and city have used the property tax appraisal system as a stealth tax. Rather than have to justify their budgets and adjust the tax rates to support them (which may require voter approval), the city of Austin, and Travis County have held the effective rate unchanged for many years. But they always manage to get more money. Why? Because the denominator changes. When they increase your base 10%, they don’t need to change the tax rate. This has been a silent partnership between the appraisal district and politicians. They never have to make hard decisions and defend them (i.e. scrub their budgets or raise taxes). Yet, the result for us homeowners is always the same (our taxes go up).

Now is the opportunity to send a message to our local leaders: Stop using the appraisal district to balance your budgets! Give us fair assessments and justify your budgets and tax rates in the light of day!

On Monday, May 18 we will hold a meeting of neighbors, to include representatives from other neighborhoods, to disseminate information about this year’s appraisals. The purpose of the meeting is not to rail against the system or complain about our individual appraisals. Instead it is to help each other take action by protesting collectively. This will be a chance for neighbor to help neighbor and take action against a system that has taken advantage of homeowners for a long time.

If you are unable to join us, please consider appealing your appraisals. Find all the forms and information you need at: www.traviscad.org. The deadline for submitting your appeal is May 31. You will then be notified regarding a future hearing to discuss your individual case.

This is your chance to send a message to our local leaders, and an opportunity to get the financial relief you deserve at a time you need it the most.

(Editor’s note) Come to the meeting to obtain information about the true values of homes in our area from realtors so you will know for sure whether this year’s appraised values are accurate.