The Tax Cut

• WHEREAS: Eighty percent of the residents of Travis County live in Austin.
• WHEREAS: Unrestrained growth in the outlying County costs Austin;
• WHEREAS: Recent legislation at the State Legislature has mandated more of the same;
• WHEREAS: Many residents of the outlying County work in Austin.
• WHEREAS: Residents of the outlying County take advantage of Austin public services.
• WHEREAS: Residents of the outlying County do not pay Austin property Taxes.
• WHEREAS: Exempting Austin Residents from Travis County property taxes would raise property taxes in outlying County while reducing the overall tax burden in Austin.
• WHEREAS: County taxes would go-up-more than Austin taxes would decline.
• WHEREAS: The difference would make Austin more financially attractive.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: We, the residents Travis County, exempt all property within the Austin City Limits from all County property taxes.

• Question: Could this pass?
• Answer: There are four County Commissioners. If two endorse the proposition. That's a stalemate. Three is a win.

• Question: I live in Austin, not the outlying County. Do I have a County Commissioner?
• Answer: Yes. County Commissioners take your tax money and provide you with services.

• Question: Will large developers in the outlying County like PortFreeport-McMoRan pay more?
• Answer: Yes.

• Question: I have a $100,000 house in Austin. I pay $2,500 in property taxes. How much would I save?
• Answer: Your new tax will be $2,000. You will save $500.

• Question: I have a $100,000 home in the outlying County. I pay $2,000 in property taxes. How much will this cost me?
• Answer: Your new tax will be $3,500. You will pay an extra $1,500.

• Question: I am a Realtor and have a client wanting to purchase a $100,000 home. I thought that property was more affordable in the outlying County. How much do my clients save by moving to Austin?
• Answer: They save $1,500 on property taxes.
  
• Question: Since $1,500 would be payments on $18,000. Does that mean that the same house in Austin is worth $18,000 more than the house in the outlying County?
• Answer: Yes. Your clients get $18,000 more-house in Austin. Yes. Austin is more affordable.

• Question: Isn't this what the S.O.S. initiative was all-about?
• Answer: Yes, the Save Our Springs initiative tried to force Austin building and environmental standards onto property in outlying County. This initiative encourages development to occur in Austin thereby having the same effect.

• Question: Can my County Commissioner exempt Austin property from County property taxes, like they exempt homesteads?
• Answer: Yes.