New tax rate levied without voter approval causes upset and concern.
HALTOM CITY, TX, January 25, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ — Last year, Haltom City touted a lowered tax rate. However, an increase in property valuation ended up causing higher tax bills for a majority of property owners.
In one of a series of informative videos by Make Haltom City Thrive Again, businessman Ron Sturgeon addresses an oft-heard comment: “They said it went down and yet everybody that got a tax bill had to owe more taxes – how can that be possible?”
According to Sturgeon, most residents don’t understand the difference between the tax rate and the actual tax bill received. In the video, he talks about the relationship between the rate and the valuation and explains that both are used to determine the total tax that will be due. Last year, although the city was touting a lowered tax rate, the city’s “machination of those numbers” actually resulted in an increase of one million dollars in property tax assessments because real estate values had risen.
This year, the city council added insult to injury by passing the highest tax rate allowed by law without voter approval. Although a city spokesperson pointed out that the city has brought over a billion in new development over the last two years, Sturgeon claims that the corresponding property tax revenue of ten million is not evident. “Maybe he’s talking about development that might come? That will come? That eventually will come? I don’t know… but if we had ten million more in revenue from a billion in new development, why would we need to raise the rate to the maximum legal amount allowed by law without an election?”
As an ally of residents and small business owners, Sturgeon has been advocating for changes which will attract new businesses to the declining south and central areas of the city, particularly along main corridors such as Denton Highway, NE 28th Street, Carson and Belknap. The goal of the videos is to help voters make an informed choice about who can lead and bring solutions to the city, and to encourage pro-business candidates to run for a seat on the city council as well. He recently co-authored the book Keeping the Lights on Downtown in America’s Small Cities, The Critical Role Small Businesses Play in Bringing Back Jobs and Prosperity and would love to see a group of interested citizens get involved in the effort to make Haltom City thrive again. A free copy of the book will be sent to any Haltom City resident or business owner who requests one at [email protected].
About Haltom City
Haltom City is a diverse, majority working-class city located between Dallas and Fort Worth in Tarrant County, TX. Haltom City is minutes from both the DFW Airport and Downtown Fort Worth with direct access to major highways including I-820 and SH-121. Due to an outdated and restrictive use matrix that discourages new business and deters growth, several areas of Haltom City have seen a decline in small businesses which provided goods and services and were a significant source of jobs, including the once-thriving automotive industry. However, Haltom City can reverse this trend and should prioritize development of inner-city land and vacant buildings, particularly in the major corridors close to the city’s center. The city is financially healthy with a capable manager and staff who would like to see diverse business development occur and need the support of the City Council to make it happen.
About Haltom United Business Alliance
Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) wants to give members of Haltom City’s business community an advocate and to keep those businesses informed about issues that affect them. They want to make sure Haltom City is business friendly and nurtures small business growth, including automotive businesses in the industrial districts, and bring more restaurants including breweries and eventually a major grocery store to the city. New businesses and growth in existing businesses will create a stronger tax base which will allow the city to pay its first responders wages that are competitive with surrounding cities while improving Haltom City’s facilities and infrastructure. HUBA believes that the southern and central parts of the city need a revitalization plan, to prevent further degradation in those areas, and wants that to happen before the inner-city experiences increased crime and more blight. As retail and office uses are in decline, it’s more critical than ever to attract new businesses. They believe that such a plan requires a strong relationship and support of the business community. Anyone who owns a business in Haltom City is eligible to join HUBA. Dues are $20 annually or $50 for a lifetime membership, and membership is 100% confidential. To join, contact Joe Palmer at (682) 310-0591 or by email at [email protected]. Visit the group’s Facebook at Haltom United Business Alliance.
About Make Haltom City Thrive Again
Make Haltom City Thrive Again is a movement to return prosperity to the older parts of South and Central Haltom City by luring the small businesses that have left over the past decades back to Haltom City. A vibrant business community not only allows for greater employment and choice of goods and services, but also can ease the tax burden on residents. The movement is led by local entrepreneur and business owner Ron Sturgeon. For more on Sturgeon’s ideas and background, check out his book, Keeping the Lights on Downtown in America’s Small Cities and watch the videos on his Facebook page. Ron is also the founder of the Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) which represents existing business interests in Haltom City and promotes growth of diverse businesses. HUBA is not a political action committee and does not endorse candidates. If/when Ron endorses candidates, he will do so on his own via the Make Haltom City Thrive Again organization.
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