The resolution calls for financial relief for Hays County residents through property reappraisals and revaluations due to the economic effects of coronavirus. The resolution also asks the governor to call a special legislative session that would modify the tax code and take some of the burden off homeowners during the federally and locally declared disaster.
“It’s going to be a tough year,” District 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe said. “The revenue is down, and a lot of people are hurting. I’m certainly willing to cut wherever I can and ask everybody else to [cut].”
The resolution, approved April 28, will be sent to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Comptroller Glenn Hegar, the Texas Legislature and the Hays Central Appraisal District, asking for them to support providing relief through:
- Ensuring the right of citizens to a fair, transparent and proper hearing process of property appraisal value protests with the Hays Central Appraisal District;
- Extending the deadline to pay all taxes;
- Granting a moratorium on property tax penalties and interest;
- Updating the Property Tax Code to allow for relief measures during declared disasters, including those of an economic nature;
- Calling a special legislative session to consider mandating reappraisals and revaluations of properties in light of the COVID-19 pandemic; modifying the Tax Code, Section 11.35 to specify that economic considerations can apply in temporary reappraisals; and, to codify the tax code and appraisal districts can roll back appraised values to the lesser of the current or previous year’s valuations in times of federally declared disasters; and
- Calling a special legislative session or taking appropriate executive action to consider and enact these and additional measures to ease the economic burdens and financial hardship Texans are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
District 3 Commissioner Lon Shell agreed on the resolution to call for a special session but said supporting groups that are helping residents get through coronavirus should be an immediate goal for Hays County, helping to provide safety net for those groups.
“I know we want to help; I just want us to have a reality moment,” Shell said. “Maybe there are things we can do to provide immediate relief to those who need it.”
