County Bids Estray Livestock Appraisers and Credit Unions all topics of successful bills
Austin State Representative Dan Flynn this week passed three pieces of legislation off the House Floor. House Bill 78 2042 2447 and 2735 all received unanimous votes and are now on their way to being taken up and considered by the Senate.
It was a busy week in my Capitol office and on the House Floor. I am proud to introduce good policy for Texans and for the citizens of House District 2. stated Flynn.
House Bill 78 increases the minimum amount required for a county to use bidding for making purchases from $25000 to $50000. Bidding is an effective method to ensure low costs and competitive options however the floor amount of $25000.00 is costly and ineffective. As vendor prices increase the floor must be raised to protect taxpayer dollars from inefficient processes.
The bid process requires costly advertising and should a bid fail to be secured the county must start all over again. Nowadays a patrol car costs over $25000 and is a basic need of the county. Each time a new vehicle is needed a bid must be procured. At such a low amount the procurement process becomes prohibitive and the county winds up having to squander the citizens precious tax dollars on the most basic of purchases.
House Bill 2042 seeks to ease the burden on local taxpayers when loose livestock is impounded by the Sherriff. Currently when the Sherriff captures lost livestock he is required by state law to engage in a costly process including being forced to publish notice in a newspaper for 15 days. Flynns bill allows the Sherriff to publish in the newspaper or online on the county governments website.
In House District 2 people come from across the country to market their goods and animals in flea markets. Oftentimes these animals wind up on the loose and the owner/seller is already back home across the state lines. Publishing notice in a newspaper just isnt the best way to inform the public in this situation rather I think the internet is stated Flynn. Not only is it more effective but it saves the county nearly $200 per posting and that amount is funded by taxpayers.
House Bill 2447 provides for better oversight of property tax appraisers and creates authorities for homeowners who feel they have been mistreated in the appraisal and appeals process. The bill grants the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation with the authority to regulate property tax appraisers.
As a member of the Sunset Commission and the Committee on Property Tax Reduction and Appraisal Reform I heard from all Texans about their frustrations with the appraisal process when it comes to property taxes. In a perfect world wed stop the perpetual taxation of property and stop forcing folks to rent their own homes from the State commented Flynn.
As we get to the point where having zero property taxes is a reality I want to ensure homes are being appraised fairly that those performing such appraisals are accountable and that should a homeowner appeal an appraisal that they are treated with respect.
