On September 10, the City of Von Ormy cut its already low property tax rate from $.12 to zero. Von Ormy has had a history of dedication to low, or no taxes, with 2024 being the first time they even adopted a tax rate since 2014. The city approved a zero-property tax rate even as it adopted its largest budget in its history dedicated to eliminating city debt, expanding the police force, as well as funding road repairs and other basic services.
Von Ormy’s Mayor, Art Martinez de Vara, recognized the burden that property taxes place on families saying, “In this time of rising inflation and economic hardship, we owe it to our residents to provide meaningful property tax relief…we do this by eliminating and avoiding debt and running efficiently”
While Von Ormy has proven their dedication to providing essential services at the most efficient cost other cities in every part of Texas are adopting budgets that result in higher tax burdens on their citizens who are already struggling to afford housing and groceries. The lack of statutory accountability coupled with the nearly unlimited access to debt secured by property taxes for cities has encouraged unrestrained spending. Even when voters say no to increases in their property taxes cities like Austin threaten to defund police and emergency services.
So loath are they to engage in fiscal discipline cities send lobbyists to the capitol to lobby against legislation that would limit spending on things like giant football stadiums, subsidized rideshares, water parks, and cell phones for homeless people. They also take advantage of the low participation in May elections to turn out voters who are highly motivated to approve bonds adding to their tax burden.
While the results of this election are atypical of cities across Texas, Von Ormy’s approach which includes avoiding and eliminating debt, operating efficiently, and directing resources only towards essential services should serve as a guiding principle for all Texas cities.