May 2017 Rev - Tarrant County

Volume 4, Issue 5

In God We Trust

In This Issue: Motor Vehicle News .......... 3 Property Tax News ............ 4 A Look Back ...................... 6 What’s Been Happening .... 9 KAB ................................... 11 Ron Wright

Contact Information and Map of Locations ............... 12

May Dates to Remember: Special Inventory Tax Due………….………..…..10 Mother’s Day…………….14 Staff Development Day…..10 (all Tarrant County Tax locations are closed)

Memorial Day Holiday.…..29 (all Tarrant County Offices are closed)

Southwest Office Move Southwest Branch has moved to a new location: Hulen Bend 6080 S. Hulen St., Suite 430 Fort Worth TX 76132

The Wright Stuff The Truth About Taxes By now most property owners in Tarrant County have received their annual appraisal notices from the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD).

TAD sends them out no later than May 1. Due to more growth in the county and a hot real estate market, property values are expected to increase again this year.

Tax payers who believe the new

May 1, 2017 appraised value of their property is wrong and/or unfair have until the end of this month to file a protest with the appraisal district. Taxpayers can work directly with TAD staff or a hearing before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) will then be scheduled. The ARB consists of approximately 72 citizens of the county who meet in small panels for several months to hear appraisal protests.

Many appraisals are adjusted through this process, but it’s just the beginning for taxpayers concerned about ever rising property taxes. The process doesn’t end until tax rates, always the determining factor, are adopted by the taxing units five months from now.

Elsewhere in this edition of Taxing News is an article titled Understanding Your Property Taxes. It describes the property tax system in Texas at its most basic level. It is relatively straightforward.

It answers the most Continued on Page 2

Volume 4, Issue 5

Taxing News

May 1, 2017

The Wright Stuff, Continued frequently asked questions, but we have experts on staff who are prepared to answer much more.

The property tax code is not particularly complex, and yet, misunderstandings abound. Part of the job of the Tax AssessorCollector is to assist in the education of the public on matters related to the tax office, whether property tax or motor vehicle. We pledge to give you facts, not opinions and not what may be politically expedient.

Telling the truth about property taxes and who controls them is a necessary part of any tax assessor-collector’s job.

That’s why we invest so much time in taking classes and passing tests to get certified as Profession County Collectors.

Taxpayers have a right to know about the taxes they pay, and we in the Office of Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector have an

Understanding your Property Taxes was published in the “Tarrant County News & Information” section of the Star-Telegram in April 2017.

obligation to explain it to them as simply and honestly as possible.

The brief explanation in this newsletter also appears on our webpage and in informational brochures available to the public. It also has been published recently in the StarTelegram and Dallas Morning News newspapers. Please take the time to read it, and let us know anytime you have questions. We are here to do more than take your money; we also are here to help you understand why you give it to us in the first place.

Ron Wright

Newsletter Noncents There were no winners from last month.

Last month’s question: What was the name of the Fort Worth firefighters’ mascot that escaped?

Answer: Billy (from last month’s history Where’s Tyler?

article, pg. 6) This month, we feature a story on page 10 about one of the Tax Office IT Support Team members.

Watch for the “Where’s Tyler?” pictures throughout this issue.

Read the full article in the Dallas Morning News at https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2017/03/31/blame-appraisaldistrict-property-taxes.

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Send your guesses to enter your name to win the prize.($5 Starbucks Gift Card). Your guess should include the page number of the picture and where you think Tyler is. The entry with the most correct answers will win! Good luck!

Email your answer to

Motor Vehicle News

Track online renewals at http://www.txdmv.gov/track

Dorothy Starr, MV Director

Above: Front of new temporary location.

The branch office previously located at 6551 Granbury Road in Fort Worth has moved to

6080 Hulen Street in Fort Worth.

Above: Inside of new temporary Tax Office on Hulen Street in Fort Worth.

Where’s Tyler?

REMINDER TO INSPECT THEN RENEW:

Vehicles which do not receive a commercial inspection: Registration permitted if a passing vehicle inspection occurs in the 90 days prior to the day you renew your vehicle registration.

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Volume 4, Issue 5

Taxing News

May 1, 2017

Understanding Your Property Taxes Three factors are used to calculate the property taxes you pay: value, exemptions and rate. Appraising the value and granting exemptions is the responsibility of the Tarrant Appraisal District. Tax rates, the primary instrument of taxation, are adopted each year by the local taxing units in which you live.

units (school boards, city councils, etc.) publish their Truth In Taxation information every August. This includes the effective and rollback tax rates. The effective rate is the rate required to produce the same revenue from the same properties taxed in both the current and previous years. It does not include new properties or new construction. The rollback rate is the rate that would result in an increase sufficient to trigger a rollback election, currently eight percent.

Almost all property owners in Tarrant County will pay taxes to at least five local taxing units: the county, the county college district (Tarrant County College), the county hospital district (John Peter Smith Health Network), a city and a school district. Some residents will also pay taxes to the Tarrant Water District and/or the Emergency Services District that provides emergency service to residents in unincorporated areas of the county. With the exception of the cities of Grapevine and Colleyville and the Grapevine/Colleyville Independent School District, property taxes for all taxing units wholly within Tarrant County are collected by the county Tax Assessor-Collector through contract.

By the end of the fiscal year, the local taxing units must adopt their operating budgets for the coming year and a tax rate that is projected to produce enough revenue to fund the budget. For the vast majority of taxing units, the fiscal year ends September 30, although some entities in the state have a fiscal year that ends June 30.

The county Tax Assessor-Collector takes the value data from TAD, applies the tax rates adopted by the taxing units and sends out tax statements in October of each year. Although taxpayers have until January 31 of the following calendar year to pay their property taxes without incurring penalty and interest, taxes are due upon receipt of the tax statement.

The Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) is governed by a board of five voting members appointed by the taxing units in the county. The Tax Assessor-Collector sits on the board as an ex officio (non-voting) member. The chief executive officer of the appraisal district in charge of day-to-day operations is the Chief Appraiser.

Texas law requires that all property appraisals be fair and uniform and that a roll of all properties with names, addresses, exemptions and values be provided to the taxing units by July 25 of each year.

Jeff Law Chief Appraiser at TAD

The property tax system in Texas is designed to ensure that elected officials who are accountable to the people determine how much taxes you pay. Each year the various school boards, city councils, commissioners courts and other governing bodies adopt tax rates that will increase revenue, decrease revenue or keep revenue the same as the previous year.

Property values are known in the Spring when the appraisal district sends out appraisal notices, but taxpayers don’t know what their taxes will be until five months later when the taxing units adopt their budgets and tax rates. The tax rates adopted by local elected officials always determine

The governing bodies of the local taxing

For more information on Disabled and Over-65 Homestead Exemptions, as well as other exemptions you may qualify for, contact Tarrant Appraisal District at 817-284-4063.

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the amount of taxes that appear on your tax statement.

drives tax increases. It is the only thing that does and the only thing that ever has.

Property taxes are collected for one purpose only: to fund government operations and the many services we have come to expect from our local governments. There is always a direct correlation between growth in the cost of government and growth in taxes. The widely held notion that property value drives taxes, that if value goes up taxes will automatically go up, is and has always been a myth. Property value, as it relates to property taxes, is inert; it doesn’t drive anything.

Government spending drives taxes. Government spending

Although county residents who don’t like their property appraisal are encouraged to file a protest, this is only the beginning of the effort to lower your property tax burden. The end comes in September when the taxing units adopt their spending budgets and the tax rates necessary to fund those budgets.

That is when the choices are made by your elected officials that determine how much taxes you will pay. Citizens are always encouraged to engage their local elected officials about taxes and any other concerns they may have that fall under the responsibility of local governments.

You can find Truth in Taxation calculations on the main property tax page of our website at www.tarrantcounty.com.

Where’s Tyler?

Left: Glenn Smith from Linebarger, Attorneys at Law, teaches the Property Tax Law, Course 7, to Tarrant County employees and appraisers and Tax Office staff from surrounding counties. The course covers all aspects of the law pertaining to property tax and is a requirement for certification through Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation and Tax Assessor-Collectors Association.

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Volume 4, Issue 5

Taxing News

May 1, 2017

A Look Back‌.. By Ron Wright Texas Spring Palace Flames Out One of the worst disasters in county history occurred in Fort Worth on the South end of downtown near the present-day intersection of Main St. and Lancaster Avenue in 1890. The fabulous Texas Spring Palace, an architecturally unique exhibition center built a year earlier, went up in flames on a night when the building was packed with people.

Designed to draw people and commerce to North Texas, the palace was the brainchild of Robert Cameron of the Fort Worth and Denver Railway.

The idea of a regional fair-like venue to exhibit produce and Texas-made machinery products was quickly championed by Fort Worth civic leaders like B.B. Paddock. Subscriptions from local individuals and businesses paid the construction costs.

Made primarily from wood, the towering structure was completed in thirty one days. The exterior was painted green and included turnip-shaped cupolas and a massive center dome.

The palace opened on May 29, 1889, and was a huge success. More than 50 counties in

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/FortWorth/duplicates/3lfv5m/ever_wonder_about_the_spring_palace_mentioned_on/

Texas sent produce and manufactured products to exhibit.

Dried corn and grain stalks decorated the interior. Exhibits included grains, grasses, fruits, vegetables, and minerals produced in the state. Floral, scientific, and art exhibits were also included. It was estimated that 28 percent of the visitors to the Texas Spring Palace were from out of state.

The second season scheduled for May10-31, 1890, was even more popular. The last night on May 30, the building was packed with spectators and people dancing. The Elgin National Watch Band had just concluded a con-

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cert when the fire broke out.

Some later reported that the fire started when a boy stepped on a match at the base of one of the interior columns decorated with dried produce. Within minutes the building was a fiery mass.

Smoke filled the air, and with exits crammed, people panicked.

Some jumped from the second story.

With thousands reported on hand for the final night of the exhibition season, the result could have been mass casualties.

That almost everyone escaped is something of a miracle. Two people were singled out for their bravery that night. A fifteen

A Look Back, cont... year old girl named Ada Large was credited with helping guide a number of people, including children out of the inferno. She was given a gold medal and $25 from the city for her heroism.

The other hero was English civil engineer Al Hayne who was seen repeatedly running into the building and pulling people out. Hayne saved many lives that night, and when it was over, there was only one casualty from the fire. Al Hayne died the following day from the numerous burns he suffered. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

Above: The Burning Palace Source: http://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=11971

Efforts to raise money to rebuild the Texas Spring Palace failed in the wake of the Economic Panic of 1893. However the enthusiasm for regional exhibitions to compete with Dallas and its state fair did not wane. Ultimately, the same civic enthusiasm helped produce the annual fat stock show and rodeo in Fort Worth.

In 1893 the Women’s Humane Association dedicated a watering fountain and monument to Hayne’s courage. This was one of four horse fountains on private property that the ladies’ association funded. The Al Hayne monument has been repaired and restored at least three times since then and can be seen in the shade of a live oak tree just east of the T&P Railroad building on Lancaster Ave. Above: Al Hayne Memorial in Fort Worth Source: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM7H9Z_Al_Hayne_Fort_Worth_Texas

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Taxing News

Volume 4, Issue 5

May 1, 2017

Tax Office Stats for

Where’s Tyler?

April 2017

Phone Calls Received 17,836

the branches.

Property Tax Amount Collected

Please complete a card at your next visit. The office with the

$29,251,339

The blue comment cards are an important tool for letting your Tax Assessor-Collector, Ron Wright, know how we are doing in all of

highest percentage of positive comment cards each quarter wins the coveted Customer Service banner to display in their office for the next quarter!

Motor Vehicle Titles Processed 46,602

Property Tax

Our Vision:

Accounts Paid

We are a professional team of positive and dedicated individuals who serve with integrity, tenacity, and compassion in an innovative and inclusive environment.

26,589 Motor Vehicle Registrations Processed

Mission Statement We will serve the citizens of Tarrant County with pride, courtesy, respect, and determination.

We will achieve excellence in what we do by providing accurate, efficient, and timely service consistent with the laws of the State of Texas and the highest ethical standard.

135,375

Staff Development Day May 10, 2017

All Tax Office branches will be closed

DID YOU KNOW?

You can request Ron Wright to speak to your group by emailing Tax-SDC@tarrantcounty.com.

Be sure to include the name and date of the event along with your contact information.

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What’s Been Happening...

Tarrant Appraisal District

Leadership Development Series

Visits Tax Office

Above: Tarrant Appraisal District staff were here on April 5 to gather information from Tarrant County Property Tax staff regarding how we use their Aumentum system so they can customize it to our needs. Above, left to right: Joe Abrego, Tarrant County Research/Assessment Supervisor; Mele Langlois, Quality Management Manager; Mayra Avalos, Exemption Expert on the Quality Management Team, and Kurt Myers, Consultant, all from Tarrant Appraisal District; and Jeffrey Hodges, Tarrant County Research/ Assessment Manager.

Above: The Leadership Development Series for managers and directors kicked off on April 18 with the first of three sessions for this year. The discussion, led by James Bird Guess of the James Bird Guess International Success Academy, covered information to equip managers on how to effectively empower employees to take ownership and responsibility for their work.

Where’s Tyler?

Left: Celebrating, with food of course, the promotion of Robert Browder to Chief of the Civil Division with the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office and thanking the staff from the DA’s office who help us with a range of issues in the Tax Office.

Pictured here, left to right: Jeffrey Gray, Robert Browder, and Michelle Humphreys, from the DA’s office; Ron Wright, Dorothy Starr, Anita El Sakhawy and Tom Spencer from the Tax Office.

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Taxing News

Volume 4, Issue 5

May 1, 2017

What’s Been Happening...

Movin’ On Up

Elisa Dorsey Customer Service Representative

Nicole Labbe Customer Service Representative

Natascha Morris Part-time Customer Service Representative

Welcome New Employees Where’s Tyler?

The Tax Office works closely with one of Tarrant County Information Technologies’ finest, Tyler Reainthong. Recently, Tom Spencer learned of his love to travel the world and invited him to include some of his stories in our newsletter. Hopefully you have found some of his pictures scattered throughout the pages of this edition of Taxing News. Here is what he had to say:

Camryn Robbins was recently promoted to the position of Motor Vehicle Supervisor at the Arlington branch.

She has worked as a Motor Vehicle Specialist at the downtown Fort Worth and Arlington branches for the past four years, and worked at a motorcycle dealership for five years before coming to us. She says she loves helping people and “customer service is a big thing to me!” She also loves the people she works with.

Robbins has been married for 3 1/2 years to Ron Robbins, also a county employee, has a 2 year old son, Fisher, and an 8 year old 100 lb. dog named Kimbo Slice (or “Bumbo” according to Fisher). Their hobbies, aside from spending time with their son, include hunting and fishing.

Congratulations, Camryn!

My first solo trip abroad was in 2013 to visit Angel Falls in Venezuela. That was one of the places on my bucket list and I had made an impromptu flight booking to Caracas to use up vacation time from work.

Being in a foreign country with virtually no planning and knowing very little Spanish put me way out of my comfort zone but that provided me with a lot of personal growth.

I relied heavily on people I met along the way. It turned out to be one of my most memorable trips - visiting small towns, staying in hostels, riding a small plane to get to camp, a half-day boat ride upstream, and getting to sleep in a hammock in the rainforest on the way to the falls. The friendliness of the locals, friends I made along the way, and culture shock had given me the travel bug and I wanted to keep exploring.

Since then, I've traveled to over 50 countries across 6 continents. Some of the my most memorable travel experiences have been cruising through Norwegian fjords on a fishing boat, driving the Transfagarasan highway in Romania, seeing the interior of the Sagrada Familia, and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.

Traveling abroad and experiencing different cultures helps keep me grounded and appreciative of the people and things I have in my life.

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Where’s Tyler?

Customer service is not a department, it’s everyone’s job.

Macy, DT PT: “Ver y nice and under standing.”

Gabby, DT MV: “Gabby per for med her job ver y well.”

James, SW: “This is my second time with J ames. Excellent Ser vice. Gr eat Knowledge.”

Michelle, SL: “The cler ks wer e helpful, under standing and efficient.”

Sandy, NW: “...Sandy was so ver y helpful and spoke clear . Ver y pr ofessional and kind.”

Sherry, NE: “Oper ation ver y efficient. Customer ser vice always exceptional.”

Shelly, Mansfield: “...This young lady has waited on me 3 differ ent times and is an employee to be proud of.”

Quyen, Arlington: “Ver y good customer ser vice. Kind, pr ecise, clear and ver y cour teous.”

These employees are to be honored in Commissioners Court in May for their years of service: Rose Enriquez—20 Years Tina Keyser—20 Years Vickie Doane—20 Years Janet Carter-Harvey—15 Years Ingrid Lira—15 Years Frances Parsons—15 Years

Camryn Robbins ........................ 3

Michael Ryan Amador .............. 9

Kat Woldt .................................. 6

Karina Villalba .......................... 10

Danny Nichols ........................... 7

Amelia Rice ............................... 13

Lalania Gaines ........................... 7

Erika Fitchett ............................. 19

Kim Jayme ................................ 8

Julia Strickland .......................... 20

Jan Phillips ................................ 9

Carmen Holloway ...................... 21

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Joan Coulter ............................... 23

Taxing News

Volume 4, Issue 5

Tarrant County Tax Office Locations Hours: Monday—Friday 8:00 am—5:00 pm

May 1, 2017

CONTACT US

Main Office Building 100 East Weatherford St. Fort Worth, TX 76196 Phone: 817-884-1100

Northwest 6713 Telephone Rd. Rm. 101 Lake Worth, TX 76135 Phone: 817-238-4435

Arlington 700 E. Abram St. Arlington, TX 76010 Phone: 817-548-3935

Poly 3212 Miller Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76105 Phone: 817-531-5635

Mansfield 1100 E. Broad St. Mansfield, TX 76063 Phone: 817-473-5127

Southlake 1400 Main St. Suite 110 Southlake TX 76092 Phone: 817-481-8141

Northeast 645 E. Grapevine Highway Hurst, TX 76054 Phone: 817-581-3635

Southwest (beg. 3/28/17) 6080 S. Hulen Street, Ste 430 Fort Worth, TX 76132 Phone: 817-370-4535

817-884-1100 Email Property Tax Department at: taxoffice@tarrantcounty.com

Email Motor Vehicle Department at: mvt@tarrantcounty.com Questions about the newsletter may be directed to Vickie Doane at Tax-SDC@tarrantcounty.com

Visit our website at: www.tarrantcounty.com Registration renewals may be purchased at AAA at Alliance and your local Fiesta, Kroger, and Tom Thumb stores in Bedford, Hurst, Keller, Mansfield, Southlake, Arlington, Grapevine, and Fort Worth.

Check our website for a list of locations at www.tarrantcounty.com.

Be sure to bring your renewal notice, proof of insurance, proof of vehicle inspection and an acceptable form of ID such as a Texas Driver’s License or ID

Email Tax-SDC@tarrantcounty.com to subscribe to our monthly newsletter distribution list.

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