News

Candidates Apply for City Council Race

Councilman Chambers is being opposed by lawyer Jason Kyle.  Kyle is best known as the suspected "mole" of RCAA, and the publisher of a website during last year's election that mis-quoted members of RCAA and made false accusations after he was made aware he was the victim of a trap.

Councilman Joe Frizzell is being opposed by writer Duff Hale.  Hale is an insurance agent, part-time writer, and life member of the NRA.

P & Z Redesigns MidTowne

MidTowne, a planned development to provide older-style homes with wrap-around porches, will forever be changed by the P & Z vote on 01/19/2010.

Monty Anderson requested a change in architectural design for 801 Abigail Way from the MidTowne Architectural Review Board, in order to build a Spanish stucco residence.

Most of the committee had concerns over building a Spanish type home, 4000 sq ft, brick & stucco, in this development.  Larry Pool led the charge to oppose this style home in MidTowne, stating this style home was inappropriate based upon the original design plan for MidTowne.

Anderson pleaded, citing financial concerns for his development.  It was asked if anyone had spoken to the three current home owners (old town style homes) how they felt about having a Spanish style home built across the street from them.  Anderson basically stated he is not required to ask anyone what he can build.

In spite of the opposition from the committee, Jon Herrin stated, “Monty we trust you.”  Herrin made the motion to approve and Wayne Sibley seconded the motion, which passed 4-2.  Burleson and Rodgers opposed.

Jeff Smith Files Complaint

On 11/8/2009, Jeffrey Smith, a Texas peace officer of 30 years, filed a complaint against Roy Vaughn, Midlothian City Judge, and Don Stout, Esq., Midlothian prosecuting attorney, for official oppression.   Ofc. Smith was arrested by the Midlothian Police Department, and did not go to trial for over one year.  His license was placed on hold pending the resolution of the trial, so he had to find other work.  The trial lasted about 5 hours, after which he was acquitted within 15 minutes.  He believes his civil rights were violated by not giving him the right to a speedy trial.

Midlothian Taxes Go Up

City tries to hide the increase by playing word games

On 9/8/2009, the Midlothian City Council (Mayor Boyce Whatley, and council members Bill Houston, Joe Frizzell, and Steve Massey) voted to raise taxes.  Only council members Ken Chambers and Dr. Hank Miller voted against it.

Claiming there was no increase because the actual rate didn't change, the city apparently tried to hide the fact that taxes were, in fact, being increased.  The effective tax rate is defined by the State of Texas;  it is the "official" determination of tax rates.  While the "actual" tax rate of 65 cents didn't go up, property valuations did.  That gave the city additional money while claiming not to have raised taxes.  For more info on the effective tax rate, click here.  Don't let them lie to you any more.  This has gone on long enough.

What is the difference between the actual tax rate and the effective tax rate?  In simple terms, consider your house is valued (by Ellis Appraisal District) at $100,000 and the actual tax rate is 65 cents -- you pay $650 in taxes.  Assume the next year your house doubles in value -- you now pay $1,300 in taxes, but the city didn't change the tax rate.  That's why the state mandates the effective tax rate, which would be a 100% increase in this example.  (There are a few more calculations that go into the rate, but this gives you the basic premise.)

What are the actual calculations?  Because of the TIF, debt, and additional property, they are confusing, to say the least.  The "operating rate" went up about 2%;  the "debt rate" went down about the same amount, as compared to last year  The debt dropped as loans were paid down.  The TIF is excluded from the effective tax rate, and the newly annexed property increases the tax base.  Further, the 8% rollback rate is based upon the operating rate only;  hence the disparity between the figures.

There are at least two ways of looking at the increase:

1. The percentage of increase in tax year 2009 over tax year 2008 existing property (which removes the annexed areas) is 0.0828%.  Looking at the increase this way, it is less than 1/10 of 1%, but still an increase.
    

2. The rollback rate, which is the 8% increase in the operating rate whereby citizens can petition for rollback, is .6561 cents (.0061 above the current rate).  Had the city raised taxes another $6.10 on a $100,000 valuation, the citizens could have petitioned for a rollback.  Based upon the 8% on the rollback rate, the .6500 rate is an increase of 7.9256% (.65*8/.6561).

We admonish the city council to tell us the truth, and to quit playing semantics.  When they tell us the taxes didn't go up because the rate stayed the same, they are insulting our intelligence.

Source:  City records, 2009 effective tax rate statement forwarded to us