NEW DISD COO BRINGS QUARTER-CENTURY OF EXPERIENCE FROM IRVING
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SEPTEMBER 2016 I Vol. 12, No. 9 I prestonhollowpeople.com I phollowpeople I 214-739-2244
Homeowners Fight Inflated Property Taxes BUSINESS
APPEALS INCREASE AS APPRAISAL VALUES SOAR
Eco-friendly restaurant celebrates decade of success 19
By Joshua Baethge People Newspapers
Median Home Value by Year Median Home Value by Year / Park Cities $1.8M
$2.0M $1.8M
$1.6M $1.4M
JOSHUA BAETHGE
Soaring property evaluations are hammering local homeowners. While tax rates have remained relatively stable over the past five years, tax bills remain on the rise. The North Texas housing boom is largely to blame as strong demand continues to drive up home values. Increasingly, property owners are fighting back. According to the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD), 78,508 residential tax appeals were filed this year – 20 percent more than last year. In 2014, there were only 57,435 appeals. “It’s insane that the government can just send you a letter saying, ‘Here’s what your house is worth,’ without even going into your home,” said North Dallas resident James Hanson. When government entities set their budgets, they try to anticipate how much money will be generated from property taxes. If the revenue is higher than expected, they end up with a surplus. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins believes this money should be returned to the taxpayer. He’s lobbying local agencies to reduce the amount they take to ease the burden on families. “What I’m saying to government is, at a minimum, just take what you said you needed on May
$1.6M Value $1.4M
$1.2M
$1.3M
$1.2M $1.0M
$1.0M
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
B E L O W : Demand for housing continuesYear to drive property values higher, increasing the tax burden for residents. Highland Park
University Park
S PORT S Sneak peek at the 2016 football season schedule 16
D A L L A S C OUNT Y APPEALS BY YEAR Median Home Value by Year / Preston Hollow
➊ 2016: 78,508 ➋ 2015: 65,416 ➌ 2014: 57,435
$1.1M
$1M $834M $645M
$600K
$501M $444M
$800K
Value
$335M
$400K
$210M $166M $200K
WHERE THE M ONE Y G OE S
$1.1M
$100K 2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Year 75209
75220
75225
75229
75230
I M A N I LY T L E
➊ DISD: 56% ➋ Parkland Hospital: 14% ➌ Dallas County: 13% ➍ City Government: 11% ➎ Dallas County Community College District: 6%
S C H OO LS Student beekeeper creates enviromental buzz 8
Continued on 43
C O M M UNIT Y
PH Village to create live, work, play residential for millennials 41
F O C U S ON P H I L A NT H R O P Y
Charity brings attention to women’s health issues 38
B U S INE S S
Mark Cuban gives Dunk Collection stamp of approval 18