Several oppose proposed tax increase during public hearing

The discontent of many Whitesboro residents brought them to the most recent City Council meeting. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, several citizens took the opportunity to speak up against the proposed 30 percent tax increase for the City of Whitesboro. On Sept. 3, the City Council approved a proposed tax rate of $0.519739, a tax increase of about 30 percent from the current $0.399 rate. The proposed tax rate was scheduled to be adopted on Sept. 17, but changes were made during the meeting. 

Whitesboro Mayor Dave Blaylock said before the public hearing began that the floor would be opened up to the public first about the proposed budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, and then for the proposed tax rate. 

There were no comments during the allotted time given for discussion on the proposed budget, so the council moved to the tax hearing. 

Before opening the floor to citizens, Blaylock said the council heard the community’s complaints about the meeting being held at 4 p.m., keeping many citizens from being able to attend and speak to the council. As a result, the council has scheduled a second public hearing to take place on Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at City Hall to allow all citizens the opportunity to attend the meeting. 

Following this announcement, the floor was opened for citizens to speak on the proposed tax rate. A handful of residents presented their concerns to the council. 
The first person to speak was Robert Copple.

“We’re seeing a boom in housing in this town and all over Grayson County,” he said. “We already see tax increases in property taxes through the appraisal. It seems to me that the City Council is exploiting the citizens in the wake of last year’s lowering of property taxes by state.” 

Copple said people are hurting now and need to keep more of their own money in their pocket. 

“I feel like it’s a bad time, it’s a bad time to be raising [property tax],” Copple said. 

Next, Holly Kolbo, a single mother of two boys, fought through tears when she described her struggle during tough times and having to choose between getting groceries, gas or paying her bills on time. 

“When you see your property taxes keep going up and up and up, it’s very, very challenging. You don’t want your kids to worry if they’re going to have food, or if you’re going to be able to pay the electricity on time,” Kolbo said. 

She said that citizens will already be seeing an increase in taxes as a result of the passing of the bond for the Whitesboro Independent School District (WISD).

“This isn’t an appropriate time to be raising [property tax] as much as it’s being raised. As it’s been stated in the paper, you’re raising it to a point where we don’t get a vote on it because it’s just under the number where we would have to vote, but it’s higher than it should be,” Kolbo said. 

During the Sept. 3 meeting, City Manager Julie Arrington informed the council that any amount selected higher than $0.519739 can trigger an election. In that meeting, the City Council moved forward with the choice of adopting $0.519739 as the new tax rate although the lowest choice presented to the council was $0.499133.

Whitesboro resident Keisha Head said there are many in this community that are on fixed incomes. 

“I know that in the elderly community, a lot of those [property tax rates] are priced in at a certain price and they don’t pay as much as another person would pay. The estimate on my house right now of what I would pay is close to $4,000,” Head said. “If y’all raise that much more, we’re going to have to sell our house and move out of this community that I have fallen into loving so deeply. 

“Considering the fact that I’m a part of three organizations in town and I just founded a new non-profit for this community, I don’t want to have to do that. If things keep going up the way they’re going, we’re not going to have a choice. And I’m not the only one that feels that way.” 

Head said the younger generation -- her generation -- is mostly on fixed incomes. 

“We work paycheck to paycheck and when you keep pushing [tax rates] up, that leaves nothing for groceries or gas. We all have bills just like everybody else,” Head said. 

Others had much to say, such as: “This is affecting everyone,” “People are being priced out of their homes” and “What are we needing to raise our taxes for, anyway?” All comments and questions that the City Council was able to listen to, but not respond to. 

Blaylock said the tax rate will not be adopted until the next meeting. He encouraged all to attend the next scheduled meeting on Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The council will hold a Public Hearing during this meeting and the adoption of the new Municipal Tax Rate for 2024-2025 fiscal year is scheduled to take place.