From the Dallas Morning News and the Texas A&M Real Estate Center in College Station.
HIGHLAND PARK PROPERTY TAX REVENUES DROPPING
HIGHLAND PARK (Dallas Morning News) - Highland Park's property tax base is projected to fall 4.4 percent next year, according to an early estimate presented this week to the town council. That translates into a $443,294 shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins this fall.
Property taxes account for 62 percent of the city's revenue. Highland Park has one of the lowest property tax rates in the area, at 22 cents per $100 of taxable valuation, and council members are hesitant to raise the tax rate to 23 cents.
"Everything should be on the table at this point," said council member Gail Madden. "I'm not interested in going up even a penny either. Everybody's struggling - everybody."
BILL CHERRY, REALTORS
DALLAS - PARK CITIES
Our 45th Year
214 503-8563
Hi Bill... I think many cities are struggling with the same problem. I think, generally, that it will mean raising tax rates or cutting city provided services... not an easy choice.
I guess I will need to watch my speed when I drive through HP.
I got a speeding ticket there a month ago. I started from a dead stop at a traffic light. The cars in the other lane were passing me, and before I even reached the speed limit, a policeman pulled me over and gave me a ticket.
I went to the Municipal Court at the Highland Park City Hall. I had to pay about $125 bucks up front before I 1) had a hearing or 2) took the defensive driving course.
In order to see the officer's evidence, I would have to appear in court. Whether I won or not, the cost total cost would be the same...roughly another $118.00 for a grand total of nearly $250.
Taking the defensive driving course requires 6 hours and a certified certificate from the State of Texas that says I have not gotten a speeding ticket in, I think, the past three years. It takes the state no less than 14 days to provide it.
So when I added up the cost of the defensive driving course plus the cost of the certified certificate plus worrying about whether or not I would get the certificate in time, it was about $50. If I the certificate didn't come in time, I was told I would have to appear in court for a hearing to request an extension. Boom. The court cost then kicked in.
So I just decided that it was best for me to enter a guilty plea and forget about it.
This is something the state needs to address. The burden should be on the city, not the driver, and no charges should be accessed until a formal ruling is determined. On top of that, the officer who entered the charge should be required to provide his evidence to the court and to the defendant before a hearing is ever held.
So it does look like Highland Park favors getting a substantial portion of its revenue from alleged traffic violators.