News

City endorses Kyle/Frizzell for Council,

via the City Parks Board Chairman

Gary Hensel, as the Midlothian Parks Board Chairman, in an letter allegedly sent to voters prior to the election, encouraged voters to vote for Kyle and Frizzell.

After endorsing Kyle & Frizzell, the letter states, "Individuals running against two these men and (sic) have voted to 'take over city hall'.  They are demanding changes in policy that would undermine the work of many previous councils, boards and citizen commissions.  They do NOT recognize the benefits of healthy recreation.  We can NOT allow these individuals to destroy what is most important to us; (sic) the ability to nurture and build the health and well-being of our children through team sports and recreation."  "Please join me and many other individuals that support JASON KYLE and JOE FRIZZELL for election to our Midlothian City Council."  The letter was signed "Gary Hensel" and "Parks Board Chairman."

Midlothian's Policy on Governance Process, which regulates members of the council, boards, and commissions, requires that:  Public officials be independent, impartial and fair in their judgment and actions.

The Mission Statement says:  Based on recognition that stewardship of the public interest must be their primary concern, members will work for the common good of the people of Midlothian and not for any private or personal interest, and they will assure fair and equal treatment of all persons, claims and transactions coming before the Midlothian City Council.

The Governance Policy further states:  Members shall refrain from abusive conduct, personal charges or verbal attacks upon the character or motives of other members of Council, boards and commissions, the staff or public.

CFARG has sent a link to this article to City Manager Don Hastings, requesting comments.

Mid-way Regional Airport Pancake Breakfast

Annual Pancake Breakfast Fly-In

Public Invited

Saturday, June 5, 2010

8:00 – 11:00 am

Event and parking is free

Breakfast tickets:  ages 8 and over $6, ages 3 to 7 $3 and 2 and under is free

Classic airplanes/fighters, helicopter and planes rides, The Classic Swing Band, Midlothian Classic Wheels, Fighter display,  Army O-1 Bird Dog, and other attractions. 

Please call Tammy for more info, 972-923-0080

For more information call

214-212-4573

Thanks to Midlothian Councilman Ken Chambers

for allowing us to use his pictures of the event from last year

P & Z Redesigns MidTowne

MidTowne, a planned development to provide older-style homes with wrap-around porches, will forever be changed by the P & Z vote on 01/19/2010.

Monty Anderson requested a change in architectural design for 801 Abigail Way from the MidTowne Architectural Review Board, in order to build a Spanish stucco residence.

Most of the committee had concerns over building a Spanish type home, 4000 sq ft, brick & stucco, in this development.  Larry Pool led the charge to oppose this style home in MidTowne, stating this style home was inappropriate based upon the original design plan for MidTowne.

Anderson pleaded, citing financial concerns for his development.  It was asked if anyone had spoken to the three current home owners (old town style homes) how they felt about having a Spanish style home built across the street from them.  Anderson basically stated he is not required to ask anyone what he can build.

In spite of the opposition from the committee, Jon Herrin stated, “Monty we trust you.”  Herrin made the motion to approve and Wayne Sibley seconded the motion, which passed 4-2.  Burleson and Rodgers opposed.

Midlothian Taxes Go Up

City tries to hide the increase by playing word games

On 9/8/2009, the Midlothian City Council (Mayor Boyce Whatley, and council members Bill Houston, Joe Frizzell, and Steve Massey) voted to raise taxes.  Only council members Ken Chambers and Dr. Hank Miller voted against it.

Claiming there was no increase because the actual rate didn't change, the city apparently tried to hide the fact that taxes were, in fact, being increased.  The effective tax rate is defined by the State of Texas;  it is the "official" determination of tax rates.  While the "actual" tax rate of 65 cents didn't go up, property valuations did.  That gave the city additional money while claiming not to have raised taxes.  For more info on the effective tax rate, click here.  Don't let them lie to you any more.  This has gone on long enough.

What is the difference between the actual tax rate and the effective tax rate?  In simple terms, consider your house is valued (by Ellis Appraisal District) at $100,000 and the actual tax rate is 65 cents -- you pay $650 in taxes.  Assume the next year your house doubles in value -- you now pay $1,300 in taxes, but the city didn't change the tax rate.  That's why the state mandates the effective tax rate, which would be a 100% increase in this example.  (There are a few more calculations that go into the rate, but this gives you the basic premise.)

What are the actual calculations?  Because of the TIF, debt, and additional property, they are confusing, to say the least.  The "operating rate" went up about 2%;  the "debt rate" went down about the same amount, as compared to last year  The debt dropped as loans were paid down.  The TIF is excluded from the effective tax rate, and the newly annexed property increases the tax base.  Further, the 8% rollback rate is based upon the operating rate only;  hence the disparity between the figures.

There are at least two ways of looking at the increase:

1. The percentage of increase in tax year 2009 over tax year 2008 existing property (which removes the annexed areas) is 0.0828%.  Looking at the increase this way, it is less than 1/10 of 1%, but still an increase.
    

2. The rollback rate, which is the 8% increase in the operating rate whereby citizens can petition for rollback, is .6561 cents (.0061 above the current rate).  Had the city raised taxes another $6.10 on a $100,000 valuation, the citizens could have petitioned for a rollback.  Based upon the 8% on the rollback rate, the .6500 rate is an increase of 7.9256% (.65*8/.6561).

We admonish the city council to tell us the truth, and to quit playing semantics.  When they tell us the taxes didn't go up because the rate stayed the same, they are insulting our intelligence.

Source:  City records, 2009 effective tax rate statement forwarded to us