Comments on: Is Tom Leppert a Fiscal Conservative?

By: Jerry Borglum

Jerry Borglum — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:17:44 +0000

LOL – I had to read it twice, but your post finally made sense

By: Mom

Mom — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:15:58 +0000

I, like the thousands of Dallas residents who attended bond townhall meetings several years ago, have stated and continue to say that I am willing to pay more in property taxes in order to invest in public safety, city services and infrastructure to build Dallas. Why is it that the elected officials and city management staff refuse to listen to us? I’ve been to several speeches over the years where the city manager outlined how much in increased taxes the bonds they now plan to sell will cost us; yet, she hasn’t been willing to bake these increases into the proposed budgets she submits to the City Council. Why not? Because times are bad? Give me a break. That’s not stopping Parkland, the County, or Dallas ISD. And I don’t use their services nearly as much as I do my local library or utility pay station.

By: John M

John M — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:37:32 +0000

@Wick

I was specifically referring to city taxes, not DISD/Parkland/DCC/County taxes. The focus of your post seemed to focus on City of Dallas budget crises and projects funded by the city budget, not the county budget. The taxes you are paying to the city of Dallas and the City of Highland Park are itemized on your property tax statement and the figures that I used in my post.

I’m not a tax expert, but my understanding is the only portion of the taxes you pay that goes directly into the City of Dallas budget is the $2,787.72 in BPP for Magazine Partners. I may be wrong though.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:14:52 +0000

I think Wick is saying he’s willing to pay more taxes for his business. But Mayor Tom isn’t listening.
As for personal property values, any efforts in the Texas Legislature to require sales-price disclosure on all real estate transactions, which would better establish the true market value of a home, were soundly rejected in the last session. Again.

By: Wick Allison

Wick Allison — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:14:22 +0000

@John M: Need to work on those detective skills, my friend. Actually I paid $31,138 in HP property taxes and $9,334 in Dallas property taxes. Have I now bought the right to my opinion? And because I paid 4 times more than you in Dallas taxes, do I get 4 more votes? While we’re at it, D Magazine received no public incentives in our move to downtown. (But it is wise of you to ask.)

By: John M

John M — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:03:09 +0000

A search on DCAD seems to suggest that the entire D magazine empire paid $2,787.72 in city taxes last year, just a little over $1000 more than I paid for my rather modest home. It appears that Wick you are only going to owe the city of Highland Park $3,649.22 in property taxes, just a little over twice as much as I paid the city of Dallas in property taxes despite having a home valued at around 9 times as much as my home, which of course makes sense because Highland Park is incredibly reliant on the City of Dallas to provide infrastructure and amenities like the Arts District.

So, in other words, it appears you think I should pay more taxes, you, not so much because you don’t even live in Dallas and pay, let’s face it, pretty minimal BPP taxes to the city. Oh, plus you are about to move your business into a TIF.

Of course, if you feel so strongly that you aren’t paying enough to the city I bet if you wanted to make out a sizable check to cover the difference in what you think you should be paying in taxes to the city of Dallas and what you do pay, I’m pretty sure a representative of the city, perhaps even Angela herself would be happy to swing by your office and pick up the check.

It certainly would make a great photo op, “Prominent local business man concerned that he isn’t paying enough to the city writes large check, encourages others to do the same”

By: Brent D.

Brent D. — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:44:04 +0000

Currently there’s slightly south of 110 billion cubic ft of water in Lake Texhoma. So Wick, where do you find a 300 million cubic ft pebble?

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:22:00 +0000

Tennell Atkins is right about the need for a tax increase. I really admire the Plano City Manager who had the guts to recommend a tax increase because “people in Plano expect a certain level of city services.” When Dallas is cutting library hours, park and street maintenance, code compliance and so much more, it is not the “great city” the the Mayor presents. One foolish example is the millions spent on the fountain in Fair Park which is now not going to be used because Dallas cannot afford it. All the cute iphones will not overcome shoddy city services and amenities when companies are thinking of a relocation.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:37:03 +0000

That’s no the only Bush White House theme that Mayor Tom has brought to City Hall. In addition to his spend and spend priorities, he borrowed the “if you’re not with us, you’re against us” motto and made it “We must do [X] to make Dallas a great city. If you oppose [X], you don’t want Dallas to be a great city.”
I want Dallas to be a great city. But I also want the basic city services that my property taxes pay for. And I don’t mind paying more if it means we don’t have to lay off hundreds of employees, force the rest to take unpaid days off and cut services and repairs.

By: John M

John M — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:28:19 +0000

I’ve got a crazy idea, how about instead of raising taxes we focus on making sure properties are taxed at their true values on the tax roles.

I don’t mean to pick on you Wick but out of curiosity do you do anything to minimize the tax burden that Magazine Partners pays to the city? Were there any incentives involved in your move Downtown?