Property tax increase explained by ECAD

ELLIS COUNTY – It’s no secret that property tax around the state of Texas has skyrocketed lately.

So where does Ellis County fit in to the equation regarding what residents are seeing here?

Kathy Rodrigue, RPA, Chief Appraiser at Ellis Appraisal District, said she is not sure statewide of the differences in the rising costs, but added for anyone interested in more information on where Ellis County sits the Comptroller’s Office has an Operations Report that has the total levy (amount of taxes collected by all taxing units based on the property in each appraisal district).

She said if homeowners are interested in more information about the change historically, they can find the information at https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/reports/index.php.

“If you scroll to the bottom of the page in the Operations Survey Data the years 2017 to 2020 are available,” Rodrigue explained.

“In 2022, the number of properties protested so far [in Ellis County] is just under 16,800.

“Page 10 of the annual report has a detailed five-year history of EAD appeals ranging from 9,473 to 18,964, so we are in a typical range for our growing county.”

She said the hope is “the taxing units will be able to reduce their tax rates so property owners will not suffer an increased tax burden.

“The legislature created a tax transparency website for all counties” and Rodrigue suggested property owners visit www.ellistaxes.com for that information.

“A postcard will be mailed out Aug. 7 to remind property owners of this opportunity to be heard,” she added.

“Property owners can find their own property, know the proposed tax rates and proposed impact to them personally and have a place to give feedback and find scheduled hearings and meetings for each taxing unit.

“It is very important for property owners to understand the difference between the roles of the appraisal district and the taxing units,” Rodrigue said.

“Property owners are under the misunderstanding that the appraisal district determines the amount of taxes people pay and that is absolutely not correct.

“Constitutionally appraisal districts across the state are mandated to appraise property at 100% of market value and market values rise and fall with supply and demand, a basic economic principle. Right now, in Texas demand is outpacing supply and it is driving the real estate market up at a seemingly unprecedented rate. It is the appraisal district’s responsibility to reflect the market, not to determine the amount of tax on their property.”

When property owners do need help, Rodrigue said she hopes her office is handling customers with care when hearing each property owner’s concerns and answering questions about their values.

And if the property owner wants to protest she added, “People have several ways to protest, by mailing, emailing and most conveniently by using the online portal available at www.elliscad.com.

“If a property owner requests an informal hearing when they protest, one is scheduled.

“If they chose to go directly to the Appraisal Review Board, an appraiser is available and willing to recognize if there is something that may need to change about the estimated value for 2022.”

Rodrigue does strongly recommend that if property owners do want to talk with someone and figure out property tax answers, they should file a timely protest.

“We try to answer questions for all property owners,” Rodrigue concluded. “The answer to why property values are going up so significantly is the market has gone up significantly.”

Property owners can also visit https://www.elliscad.com/news and read “Facts About Taxes in Texas 2021” for additional brief answers to some questions.