A proposed property tax hike in Tomball has drawn the ire of several home and property owners within the city. Surprisingly though, nearly as many spoke out in support of the proposal during a public hearing at Tomball City Hall on Aug. 22.

The council has proposed raising the property tax rate on residents from about 25 cents per $100 of assessed valuation by about nine cents, making it 34 cents per $100.

“I feel like the issue before us has some bad timing,” Tomball resident David Wood told the council. “The economy isn’t real great right now.”

Photo: Tomball councilman Rick Brown (right) speaks about why he supports the proposed nine cent tax increase, while Councilman Mark Stoll (left) looks on. The Tomball City Council held a public hearing on the proposed 2012 budget to give citizens a chance to voice their opinions.

Wood said that he did some figures on his own and came to the conclusion that the proposed increase would cost him roughly $122 per year.

Tomball resident Marilyn O’Neal agreed with Wood.

“I think (the council) needs to go to the people for a vote,” O’Neal said. “A 36 percent increase is substantial.”

O’Neal pointed out that even for senior citizens this increase would be substantial. Senior citizens are given a $90,000 exemption before taxes kick in.

“For (senior citizens) $35 can be the difference for a prescription they might need,” she said.

Tomball resident Barbara Tague spoke out in favor of the proposal.

“I’m willing to pay more to help Tomball grow,” Tague said. “New businesses are all going to Magnolia (because) we don’t have the incentives like they do.”

Tomball resident Pat Bailey agreed.

“The bottom line is that we are talking about nine cents,” Bailey said. “We haven’t had a tax rate increase in 20 years.”

Bailey informed council and others present that a decrease in gas rates had also been suggested that would offset some of the tax increase. Later in the meeting council approved a one-cent reduction in the gas rates.

Tague also suggested that council members not pass the buck and send the issue to a vote of the people.

“You (council members) are elected to make the decisions,” Tague told the council. “It is your responsibility to make the tough decisions.”

The 2012 Tomball budget being debated includes the tax increase within its numbers, however even if the budget passes, a separate ordinance must pass in order to raise the tax rate.

The city council will hold another reading of the budget sometime in September, according to Tomball City Manager George Shackleford. He expects the tax increase ordinance to come up sometime in October.

Photo by Caleb Harris

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