Commissioners asked to lead fight in property tax reform

WAXAHACHIE – Ellis county commissioners faced what could be described as standing room only Tuesday due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Yellow caution tape covering the old wooden chairs was evident as citizens gathered to hear County Judge Todd Little, Commissioner Paul Perry pct. 3, and Commissioner Lane Grayson, pct. 2, do business. 

Commissioner Randy Stinson, pct. 1 and Commissioner Kyle Butler, pct. 4, were absent. 

The main concern voiced by many was in remark to an administrative item Commissioner Perry brought to the table regarding property taxes. 

As property taxes soar, so do citizen’s frustrations in seeking answers for some sort of relief. Ovilla resident and Republican Party County Chair Randy Bellomy addressed the Commissioners. 

“It’s out of control,” Bellomy said, and added Ellis County residents don’t feel as though there is any local control on the matter. 

Many citizens concur their voice has been stymied over the property tax debacle, which has by and large invaded all of Texas for years. 

Bellomy implored the commissioners to lead in the forefront of property tax reform in Texas by beginning in Ellis County. Bellomy presented the commissioners an idea to pass a resolution in which the property tax appraiser be an elected position rather than an appointed position. 

Waxahachie City Councilwoman Melissa Olson, who is up for reelection, recently authored and passed a resolution at the Republican Party County Convention to have the property tax appraiser as an elected position. 

“The benefit of an elected appraiser versus an appointed one is the elected appraiser would be accountable to the taxpayers. 

“As it stands now, the chief appraiser is appointed by a board of directors. 

“The members of the board of directors are elected by taxing entities; therefore, the chief appraiser is more accountable to those entities who have something to gain by inflated property values – not the taxpayers,” Olson concluded.

This would mean a change in policy and would require legislation at the state level. 

If the resolution can gain some foothold at the local level, the chances of it gaining momentum and providing some type of property tax reform at the state level increases. 

There are three components to property tax: school, city, and county.

The Ellis County Commissioners Court, responsible for the county tax – only a small slice of the pie – lowered the county tax this year.

Among other topics taken action on were the changes within the Ellis County SPCA, as well as COVID- 19 procedures put into place in the Ellis County Court System. 

The next commissioners court is set for June 30. The agenda will be posted 72 hours before meeting time. 

The commissioners court is an open meeting and serves to provide constituents transparency and a direct avenue to Ellis County elected officials.